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Hosta Gold Standard is a popular hybrid variety that gets its name from the unique color of its leaves. Due to its decorative properties, this shrub is used for landscaping. The plant is characterized by low maintenance, so it can be grown by both experienced and novice gardeners.
Description of hosts Gold Standard
It is a perennial shrub plant. It has a dome shape. The height of the bushes reaches 70 cm. The diameter of adult specimens is up to 120 cm.
Each bush contains numerous short stems with many leaves. Hosta variety "Gold Standard" is spreading, but due to the large number of shoots it does not become deformed. The stems are dense, so they support the weight of the leaves and do not need garters or additional support.
Hosta "Gold Standard" leaves are basal. They are heart-shaped with pointed tips. They reach 12-14 cm in length.
The color of hosta leaves depends on the season. In spring they are light green. Subsequently, the leaves become yellow-golden. With abundant sunlight in the summer season, they can fade.Then the hosta leaves turn creamy white with a dark green border on the sides.
Hosta grows well in the shade
The flowering period occurs in mid-summer. In mid-latitudes it begins at the end of June and ends after 3-4 weeks. During this period, small flowers (4-6 cm) of lavender color are formed on the shoots. They gather in clusters growing on non-leafy stems. More information about flowering:
The plant can be grown in areas with any degree of light. Shaded areas are best. In well-lit areas, cultivation is allowed provided that the host is in the shade at midday. This is due to the fact that excess solar ultraviolet radiation can cause the leaves to burn. At the same time, hosta should not be planted in full shade, as otherwise it will remain dark green.
The variety "Gold Standard" is frost-resistant. Hosta can be grown in almost any climate zone. This requires basic periodic maintenance.
Application in landscape design
Hosta "Gold Standard" was bred using a selective breeding method for decorative use. Thanks to their abundant foliage, such bushes combine well with numerous plants. Hostas are often planted under trees to visually fill the area. Single planting of bushes in flower beds, near borders, and various landscape elements is also allowed.
Hostas "Gold Standard" go well with the following colors:
- lungworts;
- peonies;
- Heuchera;
- phlox;
- lilies;
- gladioli;
- lavender;
- astilbe.
Often, Gold Standard bushes are planted around trees, near ponds and on alpine hills
When combining bushes on a site, you should take into account not only their color features. An important condition is the requirements for soil composition. The Gold Standard variety grows well in any cultivated soil, while other plants may be sensitive to soil imperfections.
Reproduction methods
The method of dividing shrubs is recognized as the most effective. The procedure is carried out in mid-spring and early summer. For division, choose an adult hosta (from 4 years old) with a large number of shoots and leaves. At the beginning of the growing season, the developing buds are removed from the bush.
Division algorithm:
- The bush is dug up on one side to get to the roots.
- Using a sharp blade or knife, several shoots with roots are separated.
- The cut site on the main bush is treated with sand.
- Separated shoots are planted in a pot or greenhouse.
- After 3-4 weeks they are transferred to open ground.
Hosta is propagated by bush division, cuttings and seeds.
Hosta Fortune Gold Standard can be propagated by seeds. After flowering, a triangular leathery box is formed on the bushes. It produces numerous seeds that remain viable for 1 year. They are dried, then planted in small pots, pre-treated with disinfectants. The top layer of soil is no more than 1 cm.
Seedlings are kept at a temperature of 18-25 degrees. Exposure to sunlight is excluded. Periodically, the pot is placed in a lighted place for no longer than 2 hours.The seedlings are transferred to open ground in early autumn, when the temperature does not drop below 20 degrees.
Landing algorithm
Hostas of the "Gold Standard" variety grow well in areas with any type of soil. The most important criterion when choosing a location is soil moisture. The higher it is, the more leaves grow on the bushes. This is especially important in the summer, when moisture evaporates quickly due to the heat.
Hosta has a negative effect on fluid stagnation with abundant watering. Therefore, the soil must be well drained. Young specimens require increased nutritional value so that the root system grows faster and the bush adapts to external conditions.
After choosing a location, landing occurs in the following way:
- Dig a round hole 40-50 cm deep.
- Drainage is placed at the bottom in combination with dry garden substrate.
- A layer of purified soil mixed with peat and compost is poured on top.
- The seedling is placed in such a way that the buds are located at a depth of 1-2 cm.
- Sprinkle loose soil on top and water.
The landing site should be well protected from the wind
Planting is recommended in the fall. Then the plant takes root better and quickly adapts to unfavorable factors. If you plant the Gold Standard bush in the spring, the nutrients from the soil will be spent on the formation of flower stalks, and not the root system. This, in turn, will negatively affect the adaptive abilities of the plant.
Growing rules
The plant is very popular largely due to its unpretentiousness. Care involves a minimum set of measures.
At all stages of the growing season, it is necessary to remove weeds growing near the bushes. Another mandatory requirement is regular watering.In summer, the plant needs to be supplied with liquid at least 2 times a week. For each Gold Standard hosta, they recommend at least 10 liters of settled water.
The plant responds well to feeding. For such hosts, both organic and mineral fertilizers are used.
The main task of fertilizing is to increase the nutritional value of the soil. For these purposes, it is best to use organic fertilizer.
Among them:
- compost;
- manure or droppings mixed with straw;
- humus;
- peat;
- hay;
- pine needles.
For the Gold Standard variety, you can also use mineral liquid solutions. However, foliar granular fertilizers are considered the best option. Fertilizers consisting of phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium are used.
Fertilizers should be applied no more than 3 times per season
Organic matter is added in the spring, when the plant awakens after winter. Mineral replenishment is carried out after 2 weeks. In summer, it is recommended to apply solutions with phosphorus and potassium before flowering begins.
In spring it is necessary to loosen the soil. This is especially important during heavy rainfall, which causes the soil to become compacted. Once a month, it is recommended to mulch using peat, sawdust, hay or straw to slow down the evaporation of liquid from the soil.
Preparing for winter
The buds should be removed immediately after flowering unless seed collection is planned. In mid-autumn, the leaves of the Gold Standard hosta begin to fade.
"Gold Standard" - winter-hardy and frost-resistant variety
During this period, they can be removed along with the stems. The remaining above-ground shoots need to be covered with loose soil.After this, fertilize the soil around with a mineral solution and also treat it with a fungicide. It is best to mulch the ground with fallen leaves and compost.
In regions where winter passes without severe frosts, it is not necessary to cover the hosta. If the temperature drops below -20 degrees, the plant should be protected with spruce branches, branches or brushwood.
Diseases and pests
One of the features of the Gold Standard variety is its exceptional resistance to infections. The plant is not characterized by fungal and bacterial infections. The exception is gray rot, which can develop due to excess moisture. To combat pathology, it is recommended to use fungicides, as well as remove affected areas to prevent infection of neighboring plants.
Most often, the hosta is attacked by slugs; they feed on its leaves and, as a result, it loses its decorative appeal.
The most common hosta pests are slugs and snails. However, the Gold Standard variety is resistant to them. For preventive purposes, the soil around the bush can be sprinkled with tobacco ash, which repels pests.
Conclusion
Hosta Gold Standard is a unique plant with unsurpassed adaptive abilities. The bush can be planted on any soil with different levels of light. Plant care is reduced to a minimum set of activities. Moreover, such hostas have excellent decorative properties, which is why they are often used in landscaping.
