Hosta 'Aspen Gold' (Aspen Gold Hosta) — Clump-forming, mounded

Overview

Hosta 'Aspen Gold' is a clump-forming, mounded perennial in the genus Hosta, part of the Asparagaceae family, with deciduous; broad, ribbed or puckered, often variegated or glaucous foliage. Hosta 'Aspen Gold' grows best in partial to full shade; blue-leaved kinds hold their colour best out of sun, and tolerates fertile loam enriched with organic matter soils and neutral to slightly acid pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. Suggested uses include borders, shade gardens and container planting.

About

Hosta 'Aspen Gold' is a clump-forming, mounded perennial in the Asparagaceae grown for its broad, ribbed leaves. The foliage is deciduous and may be variegated or glaucous in texture. It produces flowers from June to August. Plant it in partial to full shade on fertile loam kept reliably moist but not waterlogged.

About the genus

Hosta is a genus of plants commonly known as hostas, plantain lilies and occasionally by the Japanese name gibōshi. Hostas are widely cultivated as shade-tolerant foliage plants. The genus is placed in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Agavoideae, and is native to northeast Asia.

Wikipedia contributors, "Hosta", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Hosta

In the garden

Hosta 'Aspen Gold' is a perennial cultivar of Hosta (family Asparagaceae) valued for a compact, mounded habit and broad, ribbed or puckered leaves that are often variegated or glaucous. It flowers in the UK from June to August and makes a foliage-focused addition wherever shade is available. Choose a north- or east-facing, sheltered position in partial to full shade to preserve leaf colour and avoid scorch. Work in plenty of organic matter to create a fertile loam with a neutral to slightly acid pH, and aim to keep the soil reliably moist without allowing it to become waterlogged. The plant is rated H7 — fully hardy in UK conditions — and is also suited to USDA zones 3–9. Use Hosta 'Aspen Gold' at the front of shaded borders, in dedicated shade gardens or in containers where soil moisture can be controlled. Its clump-forming, mounded habit helps to knit a shady bank or the base of a shrubbery, and the variegated, ribbed leaves provide seasonal structure even when not in flower.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Hosta

Sunlight: Partial to full shade; blue-leaved kinds hold their colour best out of sun
Soil type: Fertile loam enriched with organic matter
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly acid
Soil moisture: Reliably moist but never waterlogged
Aspect: North or east facing
Exposure: Sheltered
UK hardiness: H7

Plant details

Hosta 'Aspen Gold' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Perennial
Habit: Clump-forming, mounded
Foliage: Deciduous; broad, ribbed or puckered, often variegated or glaucous
Suggested uses: Borders, shade gardens, container planting

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Hosta 'Aspen Gold'

Cultivation: Give a cool root run, generous leaf mould and consistent moisture — drought is what produces thin, scorched leaves. Growing in containers makes slug control far easier, and a top-dressing of grit or a copper band around the pot helps further.
Pruning: No pruning needed. Remove flower scapes once faded if seed is not wanted, and clear collapsed foliage in late autumn to take away slug shelter.
Propagation: Divide crowns in early spring as the shoots emerge, cutting between the buds with a sharp knife. Division is the only way to keep a named cultivar true.
Pest resistance: Highly attractive to slugs and snails, which is the one real limiting factor; vine weevil can be serious in containers.
Disease resistance: Generally healthy. Hosta virus X is the notable exception — affected plants should be destroyed rather than divided.

Frequently asked questions

How do I grow Hosta 'Aspen Gold'?

Give a cool root run, generous leaf mould and consistent moisture — drought is what produces thin, scorched leaves. Growing in containers makes slug control far easier, and a top-dressing of grit or a copper band around the pot helps further.

Where is the best place to plant Hosta 'Aspen Gold'?

Hosta 'Aspen Gold' prefers partial to full shade; blue-leaved kinds hold their colour best out of sun. It suits sheltered positions.

What soil does Hosta 'Aspen Gold' need?

Hosta 'Aspen Gold' grows best in fertile loam enriched with organic matter soil. It prefers neutral to slightly acid soil. Aim for soil that stays reliably moist but never waterlogged.

How do I prune Hosta 'Aspen Gold'?

No pruning needed. Remove flower scapes once faded if seed is not wanted, and clear collapsed foliage in late autumn to take away slug shelter.

Is Hosta 'Aspen Gold' hardy in the UK?

Hosta 'Aspen Gold' has an RHS hardiness rating of H7, meaning it is fully hardy throughout the UK, tolerating temperatures below -20°C.

How do I propagate Hosta 'Aspen Gold'?

Divide crowns in early spring as the shoots emerge, cutting between the buds with a sharp knife. Division is the only way to keep a named cultivar true.

More in the Hosta genus

Browse all Hosta →