Golden Light in the Shade Garden from Bob Solberg
Hosta 'Five O'Clock Shadow' is a large, luminous cultivar from hybridizer Bob Solberg, registered in 2000 and published in 2005 as a sport of H. 'High Noon'. Solberg captured the golden vigour of that celebrated parent and refined it with a slightly blue-green, slightly rippled margin that frames the glowing centre with cool precision. The broad, slightly shiny golden yellow leaves carry 12–13 vein pairs and a glaucous bloom underneath, while the glaucous gold scapes rise 91–102 cm (36–40") above the mound. It performs reliably across Canadian hardiness zones 3 through 9.
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Centre: Rich golden yellow — a warm, luminous tone that glows in the dappled light of the shade border and holds its colour through the season.
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Margin: Slightly blue-green, slightly rippled margin approximately 2.5 cm (1") wide — a cool, refined frame that sharpens the contrast with the golden centre.
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Leaf Substance: Broad ovate leaves 25 cm (10") long × 20 cm (8") wide with 12–13 vein pairs, slightly shiny on top and glaucous underneath — substantial and elegant.
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Scapes: Glaucous gold scapes 91–102 cm (36–40") tall — among the tallest scapes of any large hosta, adding vertical drama above the mound.
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Flowers: Near-white tubular blooms in late May through mid-June — an early flowering season that extends the ornamental interest of this cultivar.
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Size: 56 cm (22") tall × 91 cm (36") wide — a commanding large mound with a moderate growth rate.
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Hardiness: Zones 3–9 — reliably cold-hardy across Canada.
| Feature |
Specification |
| Size (H × W) |
56 cm × 91 cm (22" × 36") |
| Hardiness Zone |
3–9 |
| Colour |
Golden yellow centre, slightly blue-green margin |
| Light Requirements |
Partial to full shade |
Grower's Tip: 'Five O'Clock Shadow' handles Canadian winters with ease from Zone 3 through 9, and its golden centre brightens beautifully with a touch of morning sun without scorching — a large hosta that rewards a well-chosen site. At our nursery in Bécancour, QC, we verify the signature golden yellow centre and blue-green margin before shipping. Our True to Type standard means you receive the authentic Bob Solberg selection, not a generic gold hosta.
