Each hosta in this collection has earned recognition as a Hosta of the Year — some by the hosta-loving public through the American Hosta Society, and others through the Proven Winners® Shadowland® programme. Because both designations carry the same name, we want to be transparent about what each one means so you can make an informed choice.
American Hosta Society (AHS) Hosta of the Year
The AHS Hosta of the Year is the most widely recognised independent award in the hosta world. It is selected through a community-driven process involving American Hosta Society Board members and Society members — passionate, knowledgeable hosta enthusiasts with no commercial stake in the outcome.
Beginning in 2026, this process became even more meaningful. The American Hosta Growers Association (AHGA) formally transferred the nominating and voting responsibilities to the American Hosta Society, freeing growers to focus their collective energy on advancing hosta genetics, introducing exceptional new cultivars, and supporting ongoing research. The result is an award that is more transparent, more inclusive, and more representative of the broader hosta community than ever before.
Proven Winners® Shadowland® Hosta of the Year
Each year, Walters Gardens — the breeder behind the acclaimed Proven Winners® Shadowland® hosta programme — designates one of their own introductions as their Hosta of the Year. This is a marketing designation selected internally by Walters Gardens to spotlight a standout cultivar from their own breeding programme. It does not involve the American Hosta Society or its members, and is independent of the AHS award process.
This distinction is not a criticism — Walters Gardens produces some of the finest hostas in the world, and their annual spotlight cultivar is invariably exceptional. We simply want our customers to understand that these are two separate designations with different selection processes, so you know exactly what you are celebrating when you add one of these hostas to your garden.
At Hosta Choice Gardens, we are proud to carry both AHS award winners and Proven Winners® Shadowland® spotlight cultivars, all grown with care at our nursery in Bécancour, QC, and shipped coast to coast across Canada.
