H. ‘Summer Dress’

Overview

Registered in 1990 by U. Syre-Herz, this medium-sized cultivar results from a cross between Hosta 'August Moon' (pod parent) and Hosta kikutii (pollen parent). 'Summer Dress' is visually distinguished by its green leaves with gold margins, which exhibit brassy green-yellow, small undulations along the leaf edges.

In the Garden

'Summer Dress' reaches a mature height of 18 inches (45.7 cm) and a spread of 24 inches (61.0 cm), making it suitable for mid-border positions in partial to full shade, as typical for hostas with gold-margined foliage. Its leaves, 10 inches (25.4 cm) long and 6 inches (15.2 cm) wide with 10 to 11 vein pairs, provide textural contrast when paired with ferns, Heuchera, or fine-leaved grasses. The scape rises to 34 inches (86.4 cm), bearing flowers that attract pollinators.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture, especially during dry periods, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Like most hostas, 'Summer Dress' is susceptible to slug and deer damage, so protective measures may be necessary in gardens where these pests are prevalent. It performs reliably in typical hosta-growing zones.