Golden Tiara Hosta

Overview

Golden Tiara is a compact, fast-growing hosta prized for its tidy mounds of small heart-shaped leaves edged in a bright chartreuse-to-gold margin (Hosta 'Golden Tiara'). It is the best known member of the "Tiara" series and stands out for how quickly it fills in, its neat dome shape, and its unusually generous show of lavender flowers for a plant this size. Its modest footprint makes it one of the easiest hostas to fit into small gardens and edging schemes.

Origin & Background

The genus Hosta is native to north-east Asia, chiefly Japan, China, Korea and the Russian Far East, where the species grow in woodland, on stream banks and shaded slopes. 'Golden Tiara' was introduced by Robert Savory of Minnesota in the late 1970s and became the anchor of a family of similar small hostas (the Tiara group), several of which arose later as sports of this plant. It has remained a garden staple thanks to its vigour and reliability.

Appearance

The leaves are small and heart-shaped, roughly 3 to 4 inches long, with a medium-green centre and an irregular gold to chartreuse margin that grows brighter with a little more light. Plants build a dense, symmetrical mound about 10 to 14 inches tall and 24 to 36 inches wide, often reaching full width faster than most hostas. In mid to late summer, typically July into August, it sends up slender scapes of lavender-purple, faintly striped bell-shaped flowers that rise well above the foliage. Autumn brings a soft golden-yellow fade before the plant dies back for winter.

Why People Grow It - Qualities & Benefits

• Compact, quickly filling mound that suits small beds, borders and edging
• Two-tone gold-margined foliage that brightens shady spots
• Abundant lavender flowers that are generous for such a small hosta
• Tough, low-maintenance and dependable, forgiving of beginner mistakes

Care

Light: Part shade to full shade; a little morning sun deepens the gold margin, but harsh afternoon sun scorches the leaves. Water: Consistent, even moisture; water in dry spells and never let the crown dry out fully. Soil: Rich, humus-heavy, well-drained soil that holds moisture; slightly acidic to neutral pH (about 6.0 to 7.0). Hardiness: USDA zones 3 to 9. Bloom or Season: Foliage plant from spring emergence through autumn, with lavender flowers in mid to late summer and a golden fade before dormancy. Extra: This cultivar bulks up faster than most hostas, so plan on dividing it sooner. Toxic to cats and dogs; hostas contain saponins that cause vomiting, diarrhoea and depression if eaten, so site it away from where pets graze.

Planting & Propagation

Plant in spring or early autumn at the same depth the crown sat previously, spacing plants about 24 to 30 inches apart to allow for the mound's spread. Work compost into the planting hole and mulch to conserve moisture and moderate soil temperature. Propagate by division in early spring as the shoots (pips) push through the soil: lift the clump, split it into sections each with several shoots and healthy roots using a sharp spade or knife, and replant immediately, keeping the divisions watered until established.

Common Problems & Pests

• Slugs and snails chew holes in the foliage, worst in damp shade
• Leaf scorch and browning of the margins from too much sun or dry soil
• Deer and rabbits browse the leaves and can strip a plant quickly

Toxicity & Safety

Golden Tiara, like all hostas, is toxic to cats and dogs. The active compounds are saponins, and ingestion typically causes vomiting, diarrhoea and depression (lethargy). Signs are usually mild to moderate, but any pet that has eaten part of the plant and shows persistent symptoms should be seen by a veterinarian. It is best to plant it out of reach of pets that tend to nibble garden foliage.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Fast to establish and fill in, giving quick results
• Bright gold-edged leaves that light up shade

Cons

• Toxic to cats and dogs
• A magnet for slugs, snails and browsing deer

Best Suited For

• Small shade gardens, woodland edges and shaded borders needing compact ground cover
• Beginners and low-maintenance planting schemes, and pet-free areas or raised positions

FAQ

How big does Golden Tiara Hosta get?

It forms a compact mound around 10 to 14 inches tall and 24 to 36 inches wide, making it one of the smaller, tidier hostas.

Will it grow in full shade?

Yes. It tolerates full shade and thrives in part shade; a little morning sun intensifies the gold margin, but strong afternoon sun will scorch the leaves.