H. ‘Saybrook Surprise’

Overview

Registered in 1998 as a sport of a *Hosta* 'Perry's True Blue' seedling, 'Saybrook Surprise' is a large cultivar distinguished by its blue-green leaf centers with wide, golden yellow margins. The leaf blades are cordate at the base, measure 9 inches (22.9 cm) long by 7.5 inches (19.1 cm) wide, and bear 12 to 14 pairs of veins; the upper surface is slightly shiny, while the underside carries a glaucous bloom.

In the Garden

'Saybrook Surprise' forms a dense, mound-like clump reaching 12 inches (30.5 cm) in height and 32 inches (81.3 cm) in diameter, with a moderate growth rate. It performs best in partial to dappled shade, where the blue-green centers remain distinct and the gold margins hold their color without scorching. The plant's substantial size makes it suitable as a specimen or for the middle to back of a shaded border; it pairs well with ferns, astilbes, and other shade-tolerant perennials.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture, especially during dry periods, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as growth emerges. Standard precautions against slugs and deer are advisable, as both can damage the foliage.