H. ‘Summa Cum Laude’
Hosta ‘Summa Cum Laude’ is a registered cultivar () .
| Year registered | 2006 |
|---|---|
| Section class | I-5b (Giant) |
Overview
Registered in 2006 as a sport of Hosta 'Sum and Substance', 'Summa Cum Laude' is a giant-sized cultivar distinguished by its blue-green leaves with pale yellow margins. Unlike many sports of its parent, this cultivar displays its variegation immediately upon emergence rather than developing it later in the season.
In the Garden
With a mature spread of 66 inches (168 cm) and height of 20 inches (51 cm), 'Summa Cum Laude' forms a substantial mound suitable for use as a specimen or in the middle to back of a shaded border. Its large, nearly round leaves—14 inches (36 cm) long and 13 inches (33 cm) wide—feature 13 to 15 vein pairs, a lightly corrugated surface, and a glaucous bloom on the undersides. The scapes reach 36 to 40 inches (91 to 102 cm) and bear light green flowers in midsummer. This cultivar performs best in partial to full shade and pairs well with ferns, Heuchera, and other shade-tolerant perennials.
Care Notes
Provide consistent moisture, particularly during dry periods, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. As with most hostas, protection from deer and slugs may be necessary 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 | 20 in (50.8 cm) |
|---|---|
| Clump width | 66 in (167.6 cm) |
| Leaf length | 14 in (35.6 cm) |
| Leaf width | 13 in (33 cm) |
| Vein pairs | 15 |
| Leaf | light green with .75 to 1.5in (1.9 to 3.8cm) wide, pale yellow, flat margins; very shiny on top; glaucous bloom underneath; lightly corrugated |
| Flower scape height | 36–40 in (91.4–101.6 cm) |
| Notable characteristics | unlike other Sum and Substance sports shows margin immediately |
From the American Hosta Society Registry record.
Similar cultivars
Other registered hostas in the same AHS section class (I-5b, giant size):
- H. ‘Liberty’ (2000)
- H. ‘David A. Haskell’ (1999)
- H. ‘Frances Williams’ (1986)
- H. ‘All that Jazz’ (2006)
- H. ‘Ocean Isle’ (2006)
- H. ‘American Gladiator’ (2007)
Related guides
Registration data: AHS Registry #5474. How we check this data.