Hostas are grown around the world for their ornamental foliage. With Hosta ‘Sum and Substance’, I took note of this plant as I walked past due to its pretty flowers. I don’t always take note of fairly low growing perennials like Hosta in a garden, which is why the flowers were key for my noticing it in the first place (in my defence, I was at Kew Gardens-there was lots to see).

As I have never really come across hostas before, I had a quick look into this particular cultivar. ‘Sum and Substance’ was bread by Florence Shaw and later registered as a cultivar by Paul Aden.

This perennial can reach a size of 75cm tall by 1 metre wide. Its heart-shaped leaves are a yellow green in colour-for the best colour of these leaves, plant and grow it in partial shade (full sun will scorce the leaves).

Flowers appear on scapes that hold up the flower racemes. The flowers themselves are bell-shaped and pale purple in colour. They are also fragrant. Flowers are attractive to bees who love the pollen and nectar rich flowers.

Slugs and snails love feeding on the leaves of hostas, and this one is no exception-go out at night and pick off any visitors, putting them somewhere outside your garden. Nematodes can also eat the leaves-if you see interveinal browning, it possibly these little critters. Three viruses can be an issue to-hosta virus x, tobacco rattle virus and tomato ring spot virus mean the plant needs to be removed and disposed of (but not in the compost heap).

Hostas like moist soil with plenty of organic matter. Consistent watering is key for a healthy, happy plant. Plants can be divided in spring or autumn if it’s getting a little large for its space-apparently, this is easier in spring than autumn.

Hostas are a lovely addition to a garden-better with the flowers in my opinion. They are perfect in the part-shade areas of a garden, especially with the yellow-green leaves. Why not give one a go?