Hosta ‘Sum and Substance’

hosta 'Sum and Substance'

£11.95

A giant amongst Plantain Lilies, Hosta ‘Sum and Substance’ has a huge rosette of deeply veined and ribbed yellow-green leaves that provide a big dollop of brightness to any shaded spot.

Said to be one of the most slug and snail-resistant varieties of hosta, at the Palm Centre we advocate still using your favoured protection to guarantee acres of flawless foliage.

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Origin: Japan, cultivar of horticultural origin
Genus: Hosta
Species / Cultivar: ssp. var. 'Sum and Substance'
Common Name: hosta 'Sum and Substance'

Plant Biography

Hosta ‘Wide Brim’ belongs to the Hosta genus within the family Asparagaceae. This genus encompasses over 70 species, primarily native to Northeast Asia, notably China, Korea, and Japan.

Hostas have been cultivated for centuries for their ornamental foliage but were originally grown for their edible shoots prior to gaining popularity for their diverse leaf shapes, colours, and textures. Many modern cultivars underwent selective breeding to enhance desired traits such as its rich green foliage and vigorous growth, contributing to their distinctiveness in the realm of garden plants.

Hosta 'Sum and Substance'
Soil: Moisture Retaining
Soil that drains at a slower rate due to higher organic matter content.
Growth Rate: Fast
Expect to see prolific growth, especially during growing season.
Toxicity: Mildly toxic
May lead to nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting in pets, if ingested in large quantities.
Situation: Part Shade to Full Shade
Can enjoy several hours of direct sunlight, but also happy in full shade.
Eventual Height: 0.7m
The plant's ultimate height in typical growing conditions.
Eventual Spread: 1.2m
The plant's ultimate spread in typical growing conditions.
Hardiness: Fully Hardy
Will survive unprotected outdoors in most areas of the UK, even in the harshest winters.
Habit: Deciduous
Sheds all its foliage annually, so for a period of the year it will be without foliage.
Lifecycle: Perennial
This plant is persistant and does not die off after flowering. It will return each season indefinitely, if provided with suitable growing conditions.
Care & Size Guidance

Care & Size Guidance

Hostas prefer partial to full shade, although some varieties can tolerate more sunlight. Select a location in your garden that receives filtered sunlight or dappled shade for optimal growth. Avoid areas with intense, direct sunlight, as this can scorch the leaves. Once planted these are best left undisturbed for years – slowly the clump of plants will gather momentum and produce those enormous domes of foliage topped, in mid-to-late summer, by spikes of pale lavender bells.

Hostas are relatively low-maintenance plants, but they benefit from regular watering during dry periods and occasional fertilisation with a balanced, slow-release fertiliser in spring. Remove any dead or yellowing foliage as needed to maintain the plant’s appearance and encourage new growth

Planting Hostas

Planting Hostas

Hostas thrive in well-draining, rich soil which has a slightly acidic to neutral pH (around 6.0 to 7.5). Before planting, amend the soil with organic matter such as compost or aged manure to improve its texture and fertility. Work the amendments into the soil to a depth of about 30cm.

If the roots are tightly bound, gently tease them apart to encourage outward growth. Place the plant in the centre of the planting hole, ensuring that it is positioned at the same depth as it was in the container. Backfill with compost and keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged while it is getting established.

Apply a layer of organic mulch, such as shredded bark or compost, around the base of the Hosta plant to help retain soil moisture and suppress weed growth.  Keep the mulch a few inches away from the stem to prevent rot and fungal diseases.

A slug magnet

A slug magnet

Hostas are a magnet for slugs and often fall victim to them, creating a challenging relationship for gardeners. Slugs are voracious nocturnal feeders (insert Hosta vampire reference here!) that can cause significant damage to Hostas, particularly by consuming their tender leaves.

Hosta plants are particularly attractive to slugs due to their succulent leaves and the moist, shady environments they often grow in. They can consume significant portions of the foliage, compromising the plant’s ability to photosynthesise and ultimately weakening it.

Gardeners often employ various strategies to control slug populations and protect their Hosta plants. These may include physical barriers such as copper tape or diatomaceous earth, which create obstacles that slugs are reluctant to cross. A more recent

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