A Distinguished Tribute to Hosta Royalty
Hosta 'Alex Summers' is a truly regal cultivar, named in honour of the first president and co-founder of the American Hosta Society. Registered by Vic Santa Lucia in 1989 as a stunning sport of the classic 'Gold Regal', this large-sized perennial is a "must-have" for collectors and casual gardeners alike. It inherits its parent's prestigious upright, vase-shaped habit, making it an ideal choice for adding vertical structure to the shade border. Across the diverse Canadian landscape, 'Alex Summers' is celebrated for its reliable performance and its ability to act as a sophisticated, glowing anchor in woodland designs.
Why It Stands Out
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Vibrant Variegation: Features dark green, heart-shaped leaves with exceptionally wide, chartreuse-to-gold margins that often extend deep into the leaf centre for a dramatic, streaked effect.
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Stately Upright Form: Its nearly perfect, vase-like mound creates a sense of grandeur, allowing smaller companion plants to be tucked neatly around its base.
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Exceptional Substance: The thick, heavy-textured foliage provides excellent durability throughout the Canadian summer and offers natural resistance to common garden pests like slugs.
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Midsummer Colour: In July, the clump is topped with sturdy 70-centimetre scapes bearing beautiful lavender, bell-shaped flowers that are a favourite for local pollinators.
Technical Specs
| Feature |
Details |
| Size |
55–60 cm Height |
| Hardiness Zone |
Canadian Zones 3–9 |
| Colour |
Dark Green with Wide Gold/Chartreuse Margins |
| Light Requirements |
Partial Shade to Light Shade; Morning Sun preferred |
Grower's Tip
To achieve the most intense contrast between the dark green centres and the golden borders, we recommend a site that receives gentle morning sun. In deep shade, the colours may remain more muted and chartreuse. At our Bécancour nursery, we take great pride in the lineage of this cultivar. Per our "True to Type" commitment, we monitor every 'Alex Summers' as it emerges in the Quebec spring to ensure the specific, irregular gold margins are perfectly defined. We only ship once the plant has unfurled its verified, living foliage, ensuring it arrives ready to bring its award-winning beauty to your garden.
