Hosta 'Sum and Substance'

Hosta 'Sum and Substance' is a great plantain lily that has been awarded the coveted RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM). This bold and beautiful Hosta has huge, deeply corrugated deep green leaves which make a good backdrop for tall stems bearing pale lilac flowers which appear in July. This is the Hosta for a shady courtyard or border, where it makes a bold statement. It looks good with ferns and provides really effective ground cover in areas where many other plants prefer not to grow. Give it shade and moist conditions and it will reward you with lush foliage which looks as good in large pots as it does in the border. 'Sum and Substance' will tolerate some sun, but give the foliage shade during the hottest part of the day and shelter it from cold winds. Height: 75cm (2'6"). Spread: 1.2m (3' 11").

Culinary information: The best part to use is the hoston, the rolled up leaf as it emerges in the spring. Cooking depends on the size of the hostons, small ones can be fried for a few minutes, going well in stir fries. Thicker ones are better boiled and used as a vegetable. For more details about edible flowers click here.