Hosta Sugar and Cream

Hosta 'Sugar and Cream' is a variety that stands out for its elongated leaves with strongly undulating margins, medium green finely edged with cream white. This deciduous perennial also offers a late flowering period on aerial stems of white bell-shaped flowers, highly fragrant. With rapid growth, this cultivar quickly develops a vigorous clump with a compact spreading habit that is perfect as a ground cover in shade. Hardy and easy to grow, it tolerates sun exposure as long as it enjoys well-moistened, rich, and well-drained soil. Consider planting it along a path border to fully enjoy its lush foliage and fragrant flowers!

Hosta 'Sugar and Cream' is a mutation of H. 'Honeybells'. Hosta, also known as Funkia, is a hardy deciduous perennial that forms a leafy clump every spring to enhance shaded areas until winter arrives. It belongs to the asparagaceae family. Hosta 'Sugar and Cream' forms a clump that quickly reaches 50cm (20in) in height and 100cm (39in) in width. It is a plant with a good lifespan and has ovate leaves with rounded bases that are about 23cm (9in) long and 11cm (4in) wide. Their laminae are marked by 9 pairs of deep veins. From the heart of its ornamental foliage, from August to September, emerge tall flower stems measuring over 100cm (39in) in height bearing clusters of lightly scented lavender flowers.

Hostas like moist, well-drained, and rich soils and dislike drought and scorching exposures. An afternoon sunlit location should be avoided as it can burn the leaves of these perennials. In hotter and drier regions, provide a thick mulch. Hostas, with their generous and decorative foliage, are perfect as ground covers, borders, or in partially shaded to shaded flower beds, where other plants struggle to grow. They prefer sheltered and moist locations such as around the base of trees. Varieties with blue and green foliage tolerate dense shade better. Sun tends to make blue leaf colours turn green. Lighter foliage thrives in partial shade, where its colour transforms and lightens with increased sunlight. In general, exposure to morning sun allows optimal development of these perennials and also makes them more floriferous. Gastropods (slugs and snails) are particularly fond of these fleshy perennials, so contemporary hybridisations aim to create hostas that are increasingly resistant to their attacks. For varieties with less tough leaves, consider using hemp mulch or mineral mulch such as gravel, which will deter these pests. It is worth knowing that frogs and hedgehogs are their natural predators, so encourage their presence.

Combine them in groups with other hostas, ferns, delphiniums, Solomon's seal, and other low-growing ground cover perennials such as creeping bugleweed, geraniums, and lamiums. All are very effective as slug repellents. The silver-leaved Brunnera macrophylla Mr Morse, familiar in woodland scenes, will be excellent companions. Also consider Heucheras with their wonderful range of colours or the delicate flowers of Epimediums. The golden foliage contrasts beautifully with their red and orange tones. These combinations allow you to enhance shaded and slightly damp areas of the garden by creating a pleasant haven for the summer. Hostas also thrive in containers, which should be placed in partial shade and watered regularly. Hostas pair wonderfully with spring bulbs that appear in late spring, just in time to cover faded plants with their generous foliage! Around a pond, plant them with persicarias, carex, and astilbes. The blue-toned foliage harmonises perfectly with the red and purple foliage of Japanese maples, as well as with the golden yellow foliage of Hakonechloas and heucheras.

Did you know: Most species commonly found in Western gardens have been introduced from Japan. Hostas are edible and are called urui in Japan, where they are commonly consumed.