Use & Care NotesCompanion Plants
Gold Standard Hosta: Green Leaves That Turn Gold by Summer
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Gold Standard hosta is a color-changing classic. Its big, oval leaves emerge light green in spring, then the centers turn steadily gold by early summer, framed by a narrow dark green edge. Morning sun deepens the gold. In midsummer, pale lavender bells rise on 30-inch stems above a mound about 20 inches tall and 3 feet wide.
It has collected many hosta society awards over the years, and it is fast growing, so it makes a full-sized impression sooner than many hostas.
Gold Standard at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Hosta 'Gold Standard' (often listed under Hosta fortunei) |
| Foliage | Gold center with a dark green margin; light green in spring |
| Flowers | Pale lavender bells on 30-inch stems |
| Size | About 20 inches tall, 36 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts early July, peaks mid-July |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 3 to 9 |
| Light | Part sun to part shade, full shade |
| Growth | Fast |
The right spot on a lavender property
Gold Standard and lavender want different things. Lavender needs hot, full sun and dry, lean soil; this hosta needs shade and steady moisture. So give it a shaded bed away from the lavender, where it can grow with ferns, astilbe or coral bells. The ideal site is one that gets a few hours of gentle morning sun and then shade for the rest of the day. That brings out the brightest gold without scorching. Plan the sunny and shady beds in the Companion Plant Planner.
As a design note, gold hostas lift dark corners the way white flowers do. A row of Gold Standard along a shaded walk reads clearly even at dusk.
Planting a bare root hosta
- Soak: rehydrate the roots in water for a short while before planting.
- Depth: set the crown just at the soil surface with the roots spread out.
- Soil: work in compost so the soil holds moisture but still drains.
- Water: keep it evenly moist through its first season and water deeply in dry spells after that.
Care through the year
Slugs, snails and deer are the main troubles. Watch for slug damage in damp springs and keep mulch thin near the crown. Destroy any plant with mottled or distorted leaves, which can signal a hosta virus. Gold Standard is fully hardy in Michigan and needs winter cold to rest; cut the collapsed foliage after a hard frost to clear slug eggs and disease, and divide crowded clumps in spring as the shoots appear.
Frequently asked questions
Why are my leaves still green?
The centers start light green and turn gold toward early summer. Some morning sun helps the color develop.
Can it go in full sun beside lavender?
No. Hot afternoon sun can bleach or scorch the gold, and lavender's dry soil would stress it.
How is it sold?
As a bare root plant, ready to set into a shade bed. See the product page for current availability.
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