Product Description
Hosta 'Age of Gold' PP30902 (25) bare root clumps
Common Name: Hosta, Plantain Lily
From renowned Hosta breeder Hans Hansen comes a new large gold hosta. With golden yellow leaves, this is the perfect specimen for making a statement in the shade with its upright spreading habit and large smooth leaves. In midsummer, near white, tubular flowers appear with a very faint pale lavender central pattern on the interior petals. Plant in morning sun or filtered shade for best yellow color.
Height: 28.0 Inches
Spread: 58.0 Inches
Scape Height: 42 - 48 Inches
Hardiness Zones: 3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Flower Color: White Shades
Foliage Color: Yellow shades
Full Sun to Full Shade
Average to Consistent Water Needs
Average to Fertile Soil Quality
Bloomtime: Late Summer
Attracts Hummingbirds
Growth Rate: Rapid
Border Plant, Container, Cut Foliage, Easy To Grow, Fragrant Flowers, Attractive Foliage, Mass Planting
Hosta 'Age of Gold' is a large, striking hosta variety that brings a vibrant splash of gold to any shade garden. Imagine this: a lush mound of golden foliage that instantly brightens up those shady corners where few other plants thrive. This is what Hosta 'Age of Gold' offers. Bred by renowned hosta breeder Hans Hansen and introduced in 2018 by Walters Gardens, this cultivar is a hybrid of Hosta 'Elatior' and Hosta 'American Sweetheart'. With its impressive size, unique coloration, and low-maintenance nature, it is an excellent choice for both novice and experienced gardeners. It is also a fantastic option for those new to gardening, as it requires minimal care and thrives in various conditions. And here is a bonus: it is not native to North America, adding an exotic touch to your garden.
Appearance Hosta 'Age of Gold' is characterized by its large, heart-shaped leaves that emerge gold in spring and maintain their vibrant color throughout the growing season. These leaves can grow up to 28 inches tall and 60 inches wide, creating a substantial presence in your garden. The leaves have a slightly rippled margin and develop light corrugation as they mature. In midsummer, the plant produces white, tubular flowers with a faint lavender pattern on the interior petals. These flowers rise on tall stalks, reaching up to 4 feet in height, creating a dramatic contrast against the golden foliage. The overall shape of the plant is a dense, upright-spreading mound that can reach up to 5 feet wide, making it a bold statement in any shade garden. It is worth noting that this hosta grows at a fast rate, so you can expect to see it fill out your garden quickly.
Care Requirements Hosta 'Age of Gold' is known for its low-maintenance nature and adaptability. Here is a detailed guide to its care:
- Sunlight: Plant in mostly shade to full shade. While it can tolerate morning sun, avoid hot afternoon sun, especially in warmer climates. The best yellow color is achieved when planted in morning sun or filtered shade.
- Soil: Hostas prefer moist, well-drained soil with high organic content and a slightly acidic to neutral pH (between 5.5 and 7.5). A slightly sandy soil is preferable to heavy clay as it provides better aeration for the roots.
- Water: Water regularly, especially during the first growing season, to keep the soil consistently moist. Once established, they have low water needs and are relatively drought-tolerant.
- Fertilizer: No special fertilizer is required. One application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring is sufficient.
- Planting Time: The best time to plant Hosta 'Age of Gold' is in spring or late summer. This allows the plant to establish itself before facing extreme summer heat or winter cold.
- Maintenance: Hostas are generally carefree. Remove any spent flower stalks and yellowing leaves to maintain the plant's appearance. To maintain its health and vigor, divide large clumps every 3-5 years in spring or fall, as needed.
- Pests: While hostas are generally low maintenance, they can be susceptible to slug and deer damage. To prevent this, apply slug bait in early spring before the leaves have unfurled.
- Hardiness Zone: Hosta 'Age of Gold' is hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-9, specifically thriving in zone 3a.
Uses Hosta 'Age of Gold' is a versatile plant that can be used in various ways to enhance your garden:
- Specimen Plant: With its unique golden foliage and impressive size, it can serve as a captivating focal point, drawing attention and admiration.
- Mass Planting: Imagine a sea of gold illuminating a shady corner of your garden. This is the effect you can achieve by planting Hosta 'Age of Gold' in masses.
- Borders and Edging: Its large size and vibrant color make it an excellent border plant, defining garden beds and pathways.
- Flower Beds: It can be used as a centerpiece or backdrop in flower beds, adding texture and contrast to other flowering plants.
- Woodland Gardens: It thrives in shady woodland settings, blending seamlessly with other shade-loving plants such as ferns and astilbes.
- Under Trees: Hosta 'Age of Gold' tolerates competition from tree roots, making it a suitable choice for planting under trees where other plants might struggle.
- Cottage Gardens: It adds a touch of elegance and charm to informal cottage gardens, complementing the relaxed and naturalistic style.
Wildlife Hosta 'Age of Gold' not only enhances the beauty of your garden but also attracts hummingbirds with its nectar-rich flowers. This adds another dimension to your garden, bringing in these delightful creatures and increasing biodiversity.
Companion Plants Hosta 'Age of Gold' pairs well with a variety of shade-loving plants. Here are some suggestions:
| Plant Name | Description |
| Athyrium 'Lady in Red' | A fern with striking red stems that provides a beautiful contrast to the golden hosta foliage. |
| Epimedium 'Amber Queen' | A low-growing perennial with delicate foliage and charming flowers that adds texture and interest to the planting. |
| Heuchera 'Lemon Love' | A coral bells variety with bright chartreuse foliage that complements the golden hues of the hosta. |
| Tiarella 'Cutting Edge' | A foamflower with deeply lobed leaves and delicate white flowers that adds a touch of elegance to the combination. |
| Tricyrtis 'Autumn Glow' | A toad lily with unique spotted flowers that extends the season of interest into the fall. |
Hosta 'Age of Gold' is a stunning addition to any shade garden. Its vibrant golden foliage, large size, and low-maintenance nature make it a favorite among gardeners. Whether used as a specimen plant, in mass plantings, or as part of a mixed border, it is sure to brighten up any shady spot in your garden. Its adaptability and tolerance of various conditions make it an excellent choice for both novice and experienced gardeners. Hostas are exceedingly popular perennials in today's gardens due to their versatility in the landscape. They also grow well in city environments where the air may be polluted by car exhaust. With its unique golden foliage and ability to thrive in shade, Hosta 'Age of Gold' is a true gem for any garden.
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
