H. ‘Lakeside Contender’

Overview

Registered in 1998, *Hosta* 'Lakeside Contender' is a large cultivar bred by Mary Chastain of Lakeside Acres, notable for its broad blue-green leaves with wide, flat gold margins. The leaf blades are very shiny on the upper surface, with a glaucous bloom beneath, and are supported by 11 pairs of veins.

In the Garden

This cultivar forms a substantial, mound-like clump reaching 16 inches (40.6 cm) in height and 50 inches (127 cm) in diameter, with a moderate growth rate. It performs best in partial to full shade, where the blue-green leaf centers and gold margins remain most distinct; excessive sun may cause the margins to fade or scorch. The 18- to 24-inch (45.7 to 61.0 cm) scapes bear lavender flowers in midsummer. 'Lakeside Contender' is well suited as a specimen or accent in shaded borders and woodland gardens, and pairs effectively with ferns, heucheras, and other shade-tolerant perennials. Its large size makes it less suitable for containers.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture, especially during dry periods, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. As with most hostas, slug and deer damage may occur; monitor regularly and take protective measures if needed. This cultivar is hardy in typical hosta-growing zones.