H. ‘Guiding Light’

Overview

Registered in 2001, *Hosta* 'Guiding Light' is a large, fast-growing cultivar of unknown pollen parentage, with *H.* 'Sea Prize' as the pod parent. Its most distinctive feature is the broad, bright yellow to gold margin—ranging from 0.5 to 2.25 inches (1.3–5.7 cm) wide—that contrasts sharply against the medium to dark green leaf center, a combination that draws the eye in the garden.

In the Garden

Mature plants reach approximately 44 inches (112 cm) in diameter and 32 inches (81 cm) in height, with upright foliage that forms a substantial clump. The leaves are ovate with cordate bases, deeply corrugated, and exhibit a slight twist and wave along the margins; the upper surface is slightly shiny, while the underside is very shiny. The scapes rise 44 to 46 inches (112–117 cm) tall, bearing medium green flowers. This cultivar performs best in partial to dappled shade, typical of hosta-growing zones, and its bold variegation makes it an effective specimen or accent plant in mixed borders and woodland gardens.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture, especially during dry periods, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as growth emerges. While fast-growing and robust, foliage may be susceptible to slug damage, and deer may browse the leaves.