Hosta Sum of All

Hosta 'Sum of All' is one of the largest varieties. This hosta bears enormous, thick, glossy, cordate, and plicate leaves that can reach a diameter of 60cm (24in)! They start off dark green and develop wide chartreuse-green margins that turn golden yellow later in the season. This hosta needs a brighter location for its variegation to be more pronounced. Tall lavender flower spikes tower over its large clump from July to August. These leaves, particularly tough, resist slugs well. Make sure you have enough width for this cultivar. This cultivar tolerates sun well, so don't hesitate to expose it to direct morning sun. Plant it in well-drained, rich, and moist soil, either in a border or as a mid-level planting in a woodland bed.

Hosta 'Sum of All' is a mutation of H. 'Sum and Substance' introduced in 2003. Hosta, also known as Funkia, is a deciduous perennial that produces its decorative leafy clump every spring to adorn shady areas until winter arrives. It belongs to the asparagus family. With medium growth, the Hosta 'Sum of All' forms a compact spreading bushy clump, reaching a height of 90cm (35in) with a minimum spread of 150cm (59in). It is a plant with good longevity that bears ovate leaves with cordate bases about 40cm (16in) long and 30cm (12in) wide, with the tips ending in elongated points. Their leaves are deeply plicate with 14 to 18 pairs of deep veins. From the centre of its variegated foliage, 75 to 120cm (30 to 47in) tall flower stalks emerge in midsummer, bearing mildly fragrant funnel-shaped clusters of flowers.

Hostas prefer moist, well-drained, and rich soil, and they dislike drought and scorching exposure. Avoid a location lit by afternoon sun or direct sun, as it can scorch 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 partly shaded to shaded flower beds, where other plants struggle to thrive. Indeed, they like sheltered and moist locations like woodlands. Varieties with blue and green foliage tolerate dense shade better. The sun tends to turn blue leaf colours green. Lighter foliage thrives in partial shade, where its colour transforms and lightens with increased sunlight. Generally, 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 increasingly resistant hostas to their attacks. For varieties with less tough leaves, provide a hemp mulch or a mineral mulch like gravel, which will deter these pests. It is worth noting that frogs and hedgehogs are their natural predators, so encourage their presence for the garden's balance.

Associate them in groups with other hostas, ferns, delphiniums, Solomon's seal, and other low-growing ground cover perennials like creeping bugles, geraniums, and lamiums. All are very effective as slug repellents. The silvery Brunnera macrophylla Mr Morse, familiar to woodland areas, will be excellent companions. Also consider Heucheras and their wonderful range of colours, or the delicate flowers of fairy bells (Epidendrums). The golden foliage contrasts beautifully with their red and orange tones. With these combinations, you can enhance shaded and slightly damp areas of the garden, creating a pleasant haven for the summer. Hostas also thrive in containers that 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! Plant them around a pond with persicarias, carex, and astilbes. Their blue foliage harmonises perfectly with the red and purple foliage of Japanese maples, as well as the golden yellow foliage of Hakonechloas and heucheras.

Did you know?: Most of the species found in Western gardens were introduced from Japan. Hostas are edible and are called "urui" in Japan, where they are commonly consumed.