Hosta 'Guacamole'
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Hosta 'Guacamole': Chartreuse Glow, Late-Summer Perfume
A chartreuse centre with a dark green edge, like somebody scooped the avocado and left the skin on for presentation. 'Guacamole' also has fragrant flowers, which is more than THE DIP AT THE OFFICE POTLUCK CAN SAY.
Plant Characteristics:
- Botanical Name: Hosta 'Guacamole'
- Common Name: Plantain lily, hosta
- Height: 60 cm (24 in)
- Spread: 90โ135 cm (3โ4.5 ft)
- Flowers: Pale lavender, fragrant
- Bloom Time: Late summer (August to September)
- Foliage: Broad oval leaves with a chartreuse centre and dark green margin, slightly wavy and of good substance
- Features: Fragrant flowers, Hosta of the Year 2002
Where to Plant: The chartreuse leaves glow in a shady bed, so put it where you need some light: under trees, along a north wall or at a bend in a woodland path. Plant it near a patio or window too, because the late-summer scent is part of the show.
Companion Plants: Plant Astilbe 'Bressingham Beauty' just behind, where its pink plumes reach 100 cm in July and August and soften the hosta's broad leaves. Helleborus HGCยฎ Pink Frost sits at the front and flowers pink from March to May, months before the hosta's lavender blooms in late summer. Carex 'Bowles Golden' adds upright, grassy gold leaves at 60 to 90 cm, a fine texture that echoes the hosta's bright tones. Each one likes the same shade to part sun, so they grow well as a group.
Plant Care: Plant it in rich, moist, well-drained soil with plenty of compost. A bit of morning sun brightens the centre. Shelter it from strong afternoon sun, which can scorch the leaves. Water deeply in dry spells, especially during its first year. Deer, rabbits and slugs all enjoy hostas, so keep watch. Remove the flower stems after bloom and clear the leaves after a hard frost. Divide in spring as the shoots emerge if you want more plants.
History: Bob Solberg of Green Hill Farm in North Carolina registered 'Guacamole' in 1994 as a sport of Hosta 'Fragrant Bouquet', which explains the scented flowers. The American Hosta Growers Association named it Hosta of the Year in 2002, and it later gave rise to 'Stained Glass', the 2006 winner.
Final Thoughts: Plant a big bowl of it in the shade. It won't brown, it won't run out and NOBODY WILL DOUBLE DIP.
