A Heartfelt Tribute in Green and Gold
Hans Hansen nominated Hosta 'Memories of Dorothy' in honour of the legendary hybridizer Dorothy Benedict. Gowen registered it in 2002 after selecting it from a cross of H. 'Dorothy Benedict' and H. pycnophylla, with H. montana 'Aureomarginata' as the pollen parent. The broadly ovate leaves are medium green at the centre with wide gold to creamy white flat margins. It forms a broad, mound-like clump that performs reliably across Canadian gardens from Zone 3 to 9.
-
Leaf Shape and Texture: Broadly ovate with a cordate base, lightly corrugated, with 12 to 13 vein pairs and flat gold to creamy white margins ranging from 1.3 to 3.2 cm (0.5 to 1.25 in) wide.
-
Leaf Colour: Medium green centre with a slightly shiny surface; glaucous bloom underneath; gold to creamy white flat margins that brighten the shaded border.
-
Mature Size: 45.7 cm high × 106.7 cm wide (18 in × 42 in) — a broad, mound-like clump with a moderate growth rate.
-
Flowers: Pale lavender blooms striped with white, 5.1 cm (2 in) long, on scapes reaching up to 81.3 cm (32 in) — occasionally branched, adding elegant vertical interest above the foliage.
-
Seed: Sets viable seeds in green pods — a useful trait for hybridizers and collectors.
| Feature |
Specification |
| Size (H × W) |
45.7 cm × 106.7 cm (18 in × 42 in) |
| Hardiness Zone |
3–9 |
| Colour |
Medium green with gold to creamy white margin |
| Light Requirements |
Partial to full shade |
Grower's Tip: Hosta 'Memories of Dorothy' handles Canadian winters with ease from Zone 3 through 9. We grow it at our nursery in Bécancour, QC, where the gold margins develop their best colour in dappled morning light. Our True to Type standard means you receive the authentic 'Memories of Dorothy', verified before it leaves Bécancour, QC.
