Sum and Substance

Hosta ‘Sum and Substance’ is one huge hosta that you should get if you have the space AND if you can be certain that you are acquiring it from a reputable source where it you will be safe from HVX. 

Size?  Man-eating.   Color?  Green as kermit the frog.  If you’re fancy you could call it chartreuse.  It was named hosta of the year in 2004. 

This was the second hosta I bought after moving into the new house. I just love this plant so after Gold Standard, I bought this one (2005). On the top ten lists regularly, the leaves on this plant are monster huge and every year has been a treat to see it get bigger and bigger. Unfortunately Sum was previously located in a side yard that I always wanted to take care of but just never had enough time. I don’t know why I wasted springtime of ‘06 on those flower beds at the front of the house!

Although I planned on reworking the bed I ditched the whole side yard in the spring of 2008 and transplanted just about everything I cared about to the back gardens – including Sum and Substance.  It took a massive effort and two of us to carry the rootball from the front to the back.

From 2007:

So Sweet

Hosta ‘So Sweet’ is an oldie but goodie although it may be hard to find from a reputable source without HVX virus infection.  It does not make a neat mound as a matter of fact it’s a bit disorderly.  I have several So Sweets and this one (pictured) is the most disciplined of the batch probably because it’s in the most sun.  Even still you can see that it’s a little frantic, reaching here and there with its leaves. 

It’s a Fragrant Bouquet seedling so its flowers are fragrant but are not fragrant enough to be a “fragrant” hosta in my book.  At least I can’t notice them with my handicapped nose – yes, I’ve lost a bit of my sense of smell.  Kind of disappointing for someone who likes flowers so much.  

So Sweet was also host of the year in … 1996.   Like I said – oldie but goodie!  From my old website and a photo from 2006:

I purchased this plant before I had seen one in person. After I had planted it in my garden I saw a beautiful specimen at Longwood Gardens and I was so excited to see such a gorgeous mature plant. Isn’t that lucky? I’ve planted it in dappled shade but based on what I’ve read and seen, it could handle some more sun and will probably do even better. Next year she can pack her bags and move to one of the sunnier spots.

September Sun

September Sun in June (2008)

Snow Crust

Snow Crust is a cute little hosta right now but I expect it will be getting bigger soon.  I purchased Snow Crust in 2006 or early 2007 but I can’t remember where.  Snow Crust is an Elata sport that will eventually grow to a medium-large sized plant.  Right now I moved it next to the gate by the pond.  It will probably outgrow its space pretty quick but I needed to get it out of the front/side yard where I never go.  The plants out there were getting neglected.  There’s still a few left but they will be rescued soon enough!

Sun Drop

Hosta ‘Sun Drop’ is a petite sport of Gold Drop.  I had this plant in the old concrete garden but moved it this year to pond near the vine trellis where it might get a bit more sun and not have to compete with evergreen roots.  I’m sure that it’s size has been impeded because when I dug it up the rootball was a tangle of tree roots.  I purchased Sun Drop in 2006 from Bridgewood Gardens.  Hopefully it will be happier in the new spot.