Why Plant Sum and Substance Hosta?
Not for the fainthearted! Sum and Substance Hosta is a wildly over-the-top Spirit, and we love it in all its super-sized glory. When mature, this showstopper puts out giant, corrugated, chartreuse leaves, making a regal mound about 3 feet tall and 5 to 6 feet wide. Under optimal conditions, a single plant can reach nine feet wide! This is the state fair pumpkin of hostas—start a friendly competition on your block to see who can raise the largest one! In late summer, the fragrant, pale lavender flowers will attract hummingbirds, too. Choice.
Hostas are native to Japan, China, and Korea, but they have many passionate fans around the world. Over the years, plant breeders (along with some home gardeners) have introduced new Hosta selections whenever they’ve found a plant with unique traits. As a result, there are now thousands of varieties to pick from! Large, small, blue, green, gold, variegated, upright, or spreading—there’s something for everyone. Sum and Substance was introduced in 1980 by a prolific Hosta breeder, the late Paul Aden of Baldwin, New York. It is one of his finest selections.
How to use Sum and Substance Hosta in the landscape?
Hostas are simple to grow, but one challenge Hosta growers do face is slugs. Slugs love these succulent Spirits. Because Sum and Substance Hosta has such thick, waxy foliage, however, it is largely slug-proof! They tend to shun it and go elsewhere in search of easier meals.
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 4-8
How To Plant Sum and Substance Hosta
Take some care in siting Sum and Substance to achieve maximum wow factor. It needs some sun to bring out the yellow tones, but too much will burn the leaves. Morning sun is great. Give this specimen regular water for a lush effect. It will survive on less frequent irrigation, but will grow smaller in a dry spot. In deer-prone areas, treat with Plantskydd® to prevent grazing. Foliage will die back with the first frosts and can be cut back then. If you wish to dig and divide Sum and Substance, you can do it at any time, but late winter/early spring is best.
How To Fertilize
Incorporate Elements Starter Plant food granular form into the soil when planting. If planting in spring or summer, start fertilizing late fall using Elements Starter Plant food granular form on an annual basis each late fall. Continue this for the first three years to get your plant well established.
How Does Shipping Work?
Bower & Branch Trees, the real BIG trees, don’t fit in a box! Our big trees, sizes XL and bigger, require expert delivery and care, that means our extra-large trees are shipped on Bower & Branch trucks. We are the only ones who know how to ship our big and bigger trees and plants with tender loving care. We deliver your trees and plants directly to you. Ask Bower & Branch about planting services – we'd be happy to assist in installation.
*For Big trees and Shrubs, Size XL and bigger: Review our Seasonal Shipping Timelines and Policy here.
Your trees and plants are grown across the United States at various Bower & Branch Growers. Depending on your location, your plant orders may be shipped from various locations. Please expect orders with multiple items to be delivered over a number of days as a result. Orders made up of numerous items or selections will not arrive at your home on the same day.
Shipping Delays:
From time to time, Bower & Branch Growers may determine to delay order shipment based on various factors for plant health. Weather in your region, as well as, where your plants are grown, is always considered when shipping. Extreme weather conditions may delay some or all of your order. Bower & Branch allows our Growers to make final shipping decisions based solely to benefit your trees and plants’ health and success.
How Does Sizing Work?
The size of our trees have nothing to do with the container size like you may find elsewhere–big doesn't mean just height - it’s also vigor, age, and overall health. Other online retailers are going to tell you that a plant is a seven gallon, that means nothing to your tree or plant (or you.)
Our trees for sale online are graded on large, x-large, and even bigger sizes. This is because our trees are sized by their age—the higher the letter, the more mature the tree. The age determines the trees’ overall height, size of the trunk and the overall branch density.
All of these characteristics are what you should be looking for when choosing a tree for immediate impact and instant curb appeal. Our extra-large tree and plant sizes are sure to wow you and your neighbors!
See the size guides below.
