Hosta 'Sum and Substance'
Hosta 'Sum and Substance'
Hosta 'Sum and Substance' is a perennial for focal point, mid-border, suited to shade and partial shade and clay, loam or acid soil, flowering Jul, Aug.
| Type | Perennial |
|---|---|
| Mature height | 70 cm |
| Spread | 150 cm |
| Aspect | shade and partial shade |
| Foliage | Deciduous |
| Hardiness | USDA 3a-8b, RHS H7 |
| Pollinator-friendly | Yes |
| Pet-safe | No |
Where to use it in a border
At around 70 cm, it sits best toward the back of a border, or on its own as a focal point with room around it. Give it about 150 cm of room to spread. It is hardy across USDA zones 3a to 8b and rated H7 by the RHS, so check it suits your area before planting.
It appears in our lists of shade, clay soil, acid soil, pollinator-friendly plants.
Border Builder uses Hosta 'Sum and Substance''s height, spread, soil, bloom months and companions to place it in a full border plan for your own conditions, on iPhone and iPad.
Flowering through the year
Worth knowing
- It tolerates acid soil but dislikes shallow chalk.
- It tolerates a shaded, north-facing spot.
- Not recorded as pet-safe; site it away from pets that graze if that matters to you.
- Its flowers are valued by bees and other pollinators.
Good companions
Plants that share its conditions and style, chosen to complement its place in the border:
- Astilbe 'Visions'to edge in front
- Azaleato flower when it does not
- Bigleaf Hydrangea 'Endless Summer'for height behind it
- Camelliafor height behind it
- Camellia 'Professor Sargent'for height behind it
- Camellia 'Yuletide'for height behind it
Garden styles
Cottage garden Shade cottage Woodland
Sources
Bloom timing and hardiness drawn from: