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Hosta of the
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Hosta of the
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Hosta are among the most popular of perennials for shady areas, with hundreds
of varieties now readily available. Plants form a sturdy mound of foliage,
topped with airy blooms. Each year the American Hosta Growers Association
selects its Hosta of the Year to recognize hosta plants that are good garden
plants in all regions of the country, are widely available and retail for no
more than $15.00 in the year of selection. Since 1996 they have chosen great
varieties that have exceptionally decorative foliage, showy or fragrant flowers,
and perform well throughout USDA hardiness zones 3-9. Their choice for 2005 is
'Striptease.'
This unique variety is a sport of 'Gold Standard' (with golden yellow leaves rimmed with blue-green) that was introduced in 1991. The ovate, slightly wavy leaves have wide, dark green margins and a narrow ivory to gold center. Irregular white stripes appears between the green and gold areas. The width and amount of striping varies from leaf to leaf, and often doesn't appear in young plants.
Leaf texture is rather leathery, and therefore the plants are very weather-resistant. In midsummer pale violet, slightly fragrant flowers appear on the 2 foot high flower spikes.
This medium-sized hosta is a vigorous grower typically reaching 20" high and up to 2 feet in diameter. As with most hostas, it does best in well-drained, humus-rich, moist soil in light shade.
– Susan Mahr, University of Wisconsin
