Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Affair to Remember Hosta: Painted Leaves That Can Take Some Sun
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Affair to Remember hosta has big, heart-shaped leaves with pale greenish yellow centers and wide dark green margins. Where the two colors meet, a feathered band of medium green streaks outward, so each leaf looks hand-painted. The clump grows 28 to 32 inches tall and can reach about 6 feet across, which is a lot of hosta.
Affair to Remember at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Hosta 'Affair to Remember' |
| Foliage | Pale greenish yellow centers, dark green margins, feathered green band |
| Flowers | Large clusters of white bells on stems 27 to 33 inches tall |
| Size | 28 to 32 inches tall, 66 to 72 inches wide |
| Bloom | Midsummer, peaking around mid-July |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 3 to 9 |
| Light | Full sun to part shade; morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal |
| Deer | Susceptible |
The bridge between sun and shade
Most hostas belong deep in the shade. This one is a little more adventurous, which makes it useful where a garden shifts from the open, sunny lavender area to the trees. Think of the east side of a house, the edge of a tree canopy or a bed that gets a few hours of morning light. It is still a moisture lover, so it should not sit next to lavender, but it can be the first big plant you see as the garden moves into shade.
Its chartreuse centers brighten dim corners, and the white midsummer flowers bloom while lavender is in color elsewhere on the property. Pair it with ferns, astilbe and dark-leaved coral bells. Plan both zones in the Companion Plant Planner.
Growing a hosta this big
- Spacing: plan for a mound up to 6 feet wide. It looks lonely for a couple of years, then takes over the space.
- Light: in full sun, keep the soil evenly moist and expect some scorching of the pale centers in hot, dry spells.
- Soil: rich in organic matter, moist but never waterlogged, especially in winter.
- Slugs: watch for them in damp springs, and keep mulch thin near the crown.
- Fall and spring: cut the foliage down after hard frost and divide crowded clumps as new shoots appear.
Deer, anthracnose and petiole rot are the main concerns. Remove any plant with mottled or distorted leaves, which can signal Hosta virus X.
Leaves for the vase
Affair to Remember is a good choice for cut foliage. A single variegated leaf makes a striking backdrop in a summer arrangement, and it pairs nicely with a few fresh lavender stems from the sunny side of the yard.
Choosing a tray
It is offered as a 72-cell plug tray and a 20-cell plug tray. Given its size, a 20-cell tray covers a lot of ground. See the product pages for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
Can it really grow in full sun?
It tolerates more sun than many hostas, but only with consistent moisture. Morning sun and afternoon shade give the cleanest leaves.
Do the leaf colors change over the season?
The pale chartreuse centers tend to age toward a whitish green as summer goes on, while the dark margins hold steady.
Is it good in containers?
Yes, in a large pot with rich mix and regular watering, though it will not reach its full in-ground width.
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