H. ‘Sweet and Sour’

Overview

Registered in 2008 by D. Van Eechaute, *Hosta* 'Sweet and Sour' is a sport of *Hosta* 'Fried Green Tomatoes'. This medium-sized cultivar is visually distinctive for its blue-green leaves with white margins that are streaked with pale yellow, creamy white, and light green, producing a variegated effect that has proven consistent in cultivation.

In the Garden

'Sweet and Sour' forms a mound-like clump reaching approximately 18 inches (46 cm) in height and 35 inches (88 cm) in diameter, with a fast growth rate. It performs best in partial to dappled shade, typical of most hostas, and its medium size makes it suitable for mid-border positions or as a specimen plant. The fragrant flowers, borne on scapes 28 to 41 inches (71 to 104 cm) tall, add late-season interest.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture, particularly during dry periods, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Like most hostas, this cultivar is susceptible to slug and deer damage, so appropriate preventive measures may be necessary in areas where these pests are prevalent.