H. ‘Top Banana’

Overview

Registered in 1983 by K. Vaughn, *Hosta* 'Top Banana' is a large cultivar resulting from a cross between *H. 'Beatrice'* and *H. 'Frances Williams'*. It is visually distinguished by its broad, rounded leaves with pale yellow to gold margins surrounding a dark green center, and by its white scapes streaked with green and chartreuse.

In the Garden

'Top Banana' forms a substantial clump reaching approximately 22 inches (55.9 cm) in height and 24 inches (61.0 cm) in diameter, with individual leaves 8 inches (20.3 cm) long and wide. It performs best in partial to full shade, where the gold margin color is most stable; excessive sun may cause marginal scorch. The plant's large, bold foliage makes it suitable as a specimen or for mid-border placement in woodland or shade gardens, where it pairs well with ferns and other shade-tolerant perennials.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture, especially during dry periods, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Like most hostas, 'Top Banana' is susceptible to slug and deer damage in typical hosta-growing zones.