Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Seasons in the Sun Hosta: A Bright Gold Beacon for Dark Shade
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Seasons in the Sun hosta is a big, bold, very bright yellow hosta with a fairly upright shape. Its large, flat, heart-shaped leaves have a soft wave at the edges and deeply set veins, and a mature clump reaches about 28 inches tall and close to four feet across.
Despite the name, it is a shade plant. It will not share a bed with lavender, which needs hot sun and dry soil, but it is one of the best ways to brighten the shady corners of the same garden.
Seasons in the Sun at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Hosta 'Seasons in the Sun' |
| Foliage | Very bright yellow, large and heart-shaped with deep veins |
| Flowers | Near-white bells on scapes about 25 to 39 inches tall |
| Size | About 28 inches tall, 45 to 50 inches wide |
| Bloom | Early to mid-July |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 3 to 9 |
| Light | Part sun to full shade |
| Wildlife | Good for pollinators; susceptible to deer |
Planning sun and shade together
A well-planned property usually has a hot, open bed for lavender and a shaded area under trees or on the north side of a building. Seasons in the Sun is a focal point for that second space. Its gold leaves read from a long way off, so a single clump at the end of a shady path or in a dark corner does the work of several smaller plants.
Pair it with dark green ferns, blue hostas or astilbe for contrast. If you want the shade bed to nod to the lavender garden, add plants with lavender or purple flowers there. Map both zones in the Companion Plant Planner so each plant lands where it will thrive.
Getting the best gold color
Gold hostas color up best with some light. Morning sun or bright, filtered light brings out the yellow, while hot afternoon sun can scorch the leaf edges. Deep shade keeps it healthy but slightly less brilliant. Think of the spot under a high-branched tree that gets a few hours of early sun.
Care through the year
- Spring: divide crowded clumps as the shoots emerge.
- Summer: keep the soil evenly moist and water deeply in heat and dry spells. Cut spent flower scapes after bloom.
- Pests: slugs chew holes in the leaves, especially in long wet spells. Good airflow helps.
- Health: watch for mottled, streaked leaves, a sign of hosta virus; discard affected plants. Crown rot can show up in hot, wet weather.
- Fall: cut the big leaves down after a hard frost and avoid piling heavy, wet mulch over the crown.
Choosing a tray size
Seasons in the Sun is offered as a 72-cell plug tray and as a deep 20-cell plug tray. The 72-cell tray suits growers potting up larger numbers, while the 20-cell tray gives you fewer, bigger plugs that are quicker to size up. See each product page for current availability, or start larger orders at the Wholesale Hub.
Frequently asked questions
Can it grow in full sun like the name suggests?
Not happily. It likes some morning sun for color, but strong afternoon sun scorches the edges. It is a shade-garden plant.
How much room does it need?
Plan for nearly four feet across at maturity. It is a large hosta.
Is it safe for pets?
Hosta foliage is listed as toxic to dogs and cats, so keep it out of reach of pets that chew plants.
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