H. ‘California Gold Rush’

Overview

Registered in 2010 as a sport of *Hosta* 'Sutter's Mill', 'California Gold Rush' is a large, mound-forming cultivar distinguished by its reverse chimeral coloration: broad golden-yellow leaf centers framed by dark green, flat margins. The leaves bear a glaucous bloom on both surfaces, contributing to a muted, blue-green cast on the green portions.

In the Garden

Reaching 22 inches (55.9 cm) in height and 40 inches (101.6 cm) in diameter, 'California Gold Rush' forms a substantial, slow-growing mound suitable for mid-border or specimen placement in partial to full shade. Its large, ovate leaves with cordate bases and moderate corrugation pair well with ferns, astilbes, and other shade-tolerant perennials. The green scapes, 20 to 30 inches (50.8 to 76.2 cm) tall, bear typical lavender flowers in midsummer.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture, especially during establishment, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as growth emerges. Like most large-leaved hostas, this cultivar is susceptible to slug and deer damage; monitor and manage accordingly in typical hosta-growing zones.