H. ‘Academy Gilded Dawn’

Overview

Registered in 2008, *Hosta* 'Academy Gilded Dawn' is a large, fast-growing cultivar of unknown pollen parentage, with *H.* 'Granary Gold' as its pod parent. It is visually distinctive for its broadly ovate, green leaves with broad, flat gold margins and a slightly shiny upper surface, emerging yellow in spring and remaining predominantly yellow through the growing season.

In the Garden

This cultivar forms a substantial, mound-like clump reaching 50 inches (127 cm) in diameter and 21 inches (53.3 cm) in height, making it suitable as a specimen or for filling large spaces in partial to full shade. Its large, bright foliage pairs well with darker-leaved perennials such as ferns, heucheras, or blue-leaved hostas, and it is not typically suited for container cultivation due to its size.

Care Notes

Plant in moist, well-drained soil in typical hosta-growing zones, and water regularly during dry periods to maintain leaf quality. Fertilize in early spring as growth emerges; this cultivar shows fast growth and may require division every three to four years to maintain vigor. Slugs and deer may cause damage and should be managed as needed.