Hosta 'Gold Standard'

Hosta 'Gold Standard': Timeless Brilliance in the Shade

Elegant and ever-reliable, Hosta 'Gold Standard' lights up the garden with broad, golden leaves rimmed in deep green. As the season progresses, its chartreuse centres brighten to soft gold, providing season-long colour and contrast. Upright and full, it produces pale lavender flowers in midsummer that rise gracefully above the foliage, adding height and pollinator interest.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 50–60 cm
• Spread: 90–100 cm, forming a broad, upright clump
• Flower Colour: Pale lavender
• Flowering Period: Midsummer
• Foliage: Large, heart-shaped leaves with golden centres and dark green margins; smooth and lightly corrugated
• Sunlight Requirements: Partial shade; best colour with morning sun
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained, fertile soil

Uses and Benefits: Hosta 'Gold Standard' brings warm contrast and dependable structure to the shaded garden. Perfect for large borders, woodland paths, or foundation plantings, it offers bold foliage that anchors the scene. Its shifting colour adds seasonal interest, while its clumping habit suppresses weeds and fills space with ease. A true garden workhorse with standout visual appeal.

Companion Plants: Pair Hosta 'Gold Standard' with Astilbe 'Delft Lace', whose salmon-pink plumes and red-tinged foliage bring warmth and texture. Add Polystichum acrostichoides (Christmas Fern) for a sturdy, deep green backdrop that highlights the hosta’s golden hues. Complete the trio with Carex elata 'Bowles Golden', whose fine, upright blades echo the hosta’s colouring while adding vertical lift and light-catching movement.

Care Instructions: Grow in partial shade with rich, moist, well-drained soil. Morning sun helps intensify colour, but harsh afternoon light should be avoided. Water during dry spells and remove old leaves in early spring. Divide every 4–5 years to refresh and maintain plant size and vigour.

History: Hosta 'Gold Standard' is a sport of ‘Fortunei Hyacinthina’ and has become a shade garden staple since its introduction in the 1970s. Its lasting popularity comes from its reliable growth, changing seasonal colour, and classic variegation.

Final Thoughts: With enduring appeal and radiant foliage, Hosta 'Gold Standard' is a beacon of brightness beneath the trees. Its refined contrast and proven performance make it a must-have for every shade garden palette.