A Spirited Ribbon of Sun-Kissed Gold — 2016 Hosta of the Year
Hosta 'Curly Fries' is a fast-growing, slightly rhizomatous cultivar bred by Bob Solberg and named Hosta of the Year by the American Hosta Growers Association in 2016. It descends from H. 'Pineapple Upsidedown Cake', inheriting a distinctive narrow, lance-shaped leaf unlike anything else in the Canadian shade garden. Foliage emerges chartreuse in spring and transitions to a luminous pale yellow or creamy ivory by midsummer. Hardy across Canadian zones 3–9, it thrives in partial shade from coast to coast. We watch each plant unfurl its signature heavily rippled leaves at our Bécancour trial fields to confirm it is True to Type before it ships.
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Intense Textural Drama: Narrow, moderately folded leaves with heavily rippled margins create a flurry of movement — the visual effect that earned this cultivar its name.
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Luminous Colour Shift: Spring chartreuse transitions to pale yellow or creamy ivory by midsummer, offering two seasons of distinct colour in one plant.
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Stunning Floral Contrast: Tall, deep purple scapes rise well above the low mound, topped with tubular lavender flowers with distinct purple stripes.
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Award-Winning Vigour: As the 2016 Hosta of the Year, this cultivar delivers exceptional substance and a rapid growth rate in Canadian gardens.
| Feature |
Specification |
| Size (H × W) |
25 cm × 51 cm (10" × 20") |
| Hardiness Zone |
3–9 |
| Colour |
Chartreuse becoming pale yellow to creamy ivory |
| Light Requirements |
Partial to light shade |
Grower's Tip: Give 'Curly Fries' a touch more morning light than your deeper green varieties to bring out its most brilliant pale yellow hues. Because this plant is slightly rhizomatous and fast-growing, we confirm the unique narrow leaf shape and waxy leaf underside at our Bécancour trial fields — so every division arrives True to Type and ready to dazzle.
