H. ‘Sugar Babe’
Hosta ‘Sugar Babe’ is a registered cultivar () .
| Year registered | 1996 |
|---|---|
| Section class | IV-4b (Small) |
Overview
Registered in 1996, 'Sugar Babe' is a small hosta cultivar derived from a cross between H. 'Iron Gate Supreme' and H. 'Saishu Jima'. It is visually distinctive for its lance-shaped, medium green leaves with creamy white, slightly rippled margins, and a notably shiny surface on both sides.
In the Garden
'Sugar Babe' reaches a mature size of 10 inches (25.4 cm) in height and 16 inches (40.6 cm) in diameter, with a fast growth rate and stoloniferous habit. It performs best in partial to full shade, typical of most hostas, and its small size makes it well-suited for rock gardens, edging, or container plantings. Companion plants include ferns, heucheras, and other small woodland perennials.
Care Notes
Provide consistent moisture, especially during dry periods, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. While 'Sugar Babe' is generally low-maintenance, monitor for slug and deer damage in garden settings.
This summary was generated with AI from the registry record and has not been reviewed yet; the registry data on this page is the reference. How we use AI.
Size and leaf
| Clump height | 10 in (25.4 cm) |
|---|---|
| Clump width | 16 in (40.6 cm) |
| Leaf length | 5 in (12.7 cm) |
| Leaf width | 2 in (5.1 cm) |
| Vein pairs | 5 |
| Leaf | medium green with .38in (1.0cm) wide, creamy white, slightly rippled margins; very shiny on top; very shiny underneath; moderately wavy |
| Flower scape height | 24–30 in (61.0–76.2 cm) |
| Seasonal colour change | emerges yellow, turns white later |
| Notable characteristics | unique sugary fragrance |
From the American Hosta Society Registry record.
Parentage
- Pod parent: H. 'Iron Gate Supreme' — H. ‘Iron Gate Supreme’
- Pollen parent: H. 'Saishu Jima' — H. ‘Saishu Jima’
1 published registry record names Hosta ‘Sugar Babe’ as a parent: 1 seedling.
Seedlings of H. ‘Sugar Babe’ (1), by registration year
- H. ‘Light of the World’ (2025)
From the pod, pollen and sport parent fields of American Hosta Society Registry records.
Similar cultivars
Other registered hostas in the same AHS section class (IV-4b, small size):
- H. ‘Minuteman’ (1994)
- H. ‘Blue Flame’ (2004)
- H. ‘Sydney's Spunk’ (2007)
- H. ‘Circle of Light’ (1996)
- H. ‘Firefly’ (1996)
- H. ‘Thumbelina’ (1996)
Related guides
Registration data: AHS Registry #5448. How we check this data.