Paul's Glory Hosta

Paul's Glory Hosta is an award-winning, shade-loving perennial (1999 Hosta of the Year) known for its thick, heart-shaped leaves featuring blue-green margins and golden-yellow centers that turn creamy white by summer. It grows roughly 25 inches tall and spreads up to 4 feet, producing pale lavender flowers on tall scapes in mid-summer. 

Key Characteristics

• Foliage Color Change: Leaves emerge in spring with a chartreuse or lime-green center and a blue-green margin. As the season progresses, with some sun exposure, the center brightens to a vibrant gold or creamy yellow, while the margins deepen to a dark forest green.
• Size: This large hosta typically grows to about 24 inches (60 cm) tall with a spread of 3 to 4 feet (90-120 cm) at maturity. It may take 3-8 years to reach its full size.
• Flowers: In mid to late summer, it produces dainty spikes of pale lavender, trumpet-shaped flowers on tall scapes that rise above the foliage. These blooms are known to attract hummingbirds and bees.
• Pest Resistance: It is considered more slug resistant than many other hosta varieties due to its thicker, more textured leaves.
• Awards: 'Paul's Glory' Hosta was recognized as the American Hosta Growers Association's Hosta of the Year in 1999 and has also received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. 

Care and Growing Tips

• Light: The plant does best in partial shade to full shade, ideally receiving 3 to 6 hours of indirect or morning sunlight. Too much direct afternoon sun can scorch the leaves or bleach the gold center to white.
• Soil: It prefers fertile, moist, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. Avoid perpetually soggy soil, as this can lead to root rot.
• Watering: Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system. Once established, it is moderately drought-tolerant but needs consistent moisture during hot, dry spells to prevent leaf edges from turning brown and crispy.
• Maintenance: In early spring, remove old foliage before new leaves emerge. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring. Divide the clumps every 3-5 years to maintain vigor and prevent overcrowding.
• Hardiness: It is very cold hardy, thriving outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 9.