H. ‘Sweet Home Chicago’

Overview

Registered in 2002 by P. & J. Ruh, this small-sized sport of *Hosta* 'Birchwood Parky's Gold' is distinguished by its blue-green leaf centers with gold margins—a color reversal from the typical gold-centered, blue-margined pattern. The ovate leaves measure 4.75 inches (12.1 cm) long and 3.25 inches (8.3 cm) wide, with 7 to 8 prominent vein pairs and a slightly rippled, blue-green border up to 0.75 inches (1.9 cm) wide. The leaf surfaces are dull on both sides.

In the Garden

Forming a mound 16 inches (40.6 cm) tall and 36 inches (91.4 cm) wide, 'Sweet Home Chicago' grows rapidly and is well-suited for the front of a border or as edging in partial to full shade. Its small stature and fast growth make it effective in mass plantings or as a groundcover beneath deciduous trees. The blue-green scapes, reaching 14 to 17 inches (35.6 to 43.2 cm) in height, bear lavender flowers in midsummer.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture, especially during dry periods, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Like most hostas, this cultivar is susceptible to slug damage and deer browsing; monitor and protect accordingly. It performs reliably in typical hosta-growing zones.