Hosta 'August Moon'

Hosta 'August Moon': Golden Glow Beneath the Trees

Bright and cheerful, Hosta 'August Moon' lights up shady spaces with its broad, heart-shaped leaves in glowing chartreuse to gold. The foliage emerges lime green in spring and matures to a rich, warm yellow by midsummer, especially when grown with some morning sun. Its deeply veined leaves form a wide, mounded clump, and pale lavender flowers rise above the foliage in midsummer, adding a subtle floral accent to its luminous base.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 45–60 cm (up to 75 cm in bloom)
• Spread: 90–120 cm, forming a graceful, arching mound
• Flower Colour: Pale lavender
• Flowering Period: Mid to late summer
• Foliage: Chartreuse to gold, deeply veined, with a soft matte finish
• Sunlight Requirements: Part shade to light sun; best colour with some morning sun
• Soil Requirements: Moist, fertile, well-drained soil; appreciates consistent watering

Uses and Benefits: Hosta 'August Moon' offers golden foliage that adds warmth and visual lift to shade gardens, where deeper greens and blues may dominate. It pairs beautifully with woodland textures and is excellent for borders, foundation plantings, or massed under trees. Easy to grow and reliable year after year, it’s also slug-resistant and tolerant of occasional sun, making it a versatile and enduring garden favourite.

Companion Plants: Pair Hosta 'August Moon' with the coppery tones of Heucherella 'Hopscotch', which contrast beautifully with the golden foliage. Add Dryopteris 'Golden Scaled Fern' for echoing tones and feathery texture. Ground the planting with the fine, variegated blades of Carex 'Everglow' to provide season-long structure and soft movement.

Care Instructions: Grow in part shade with moist, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. Water during dry spells, especially in sunnier exposures. Mulch annually to preserve soil moisture and suppress weeds. Divide every 4–5 years in early spring or fall to maintain vigour and shape. Remove spent flower stalks to tidy the plant and focus energy back into the foliage.

History: Hosta 'August Moon' is a classic cultivar introduced in the 1960s, admired for its golden foliage and dependable performance. It has been widely used in breeding for its colour clarity and sun tolerance, earning a place in both traditional and contemporary shade plantings.

Final Thoughts: Bright, bold, and easy to grow, Hosta 'August Moon' is a golden staple for gardeners seeking light and contrast in shaded spaces. Its soft glow endures from spring to frost, anchoring the garden with gentle radiance.