White Flower Farm
Hosta 'Guacamole'
Best low-maintenance perennial for gardeners seeking fragrant, shade-loving foliage.
Discover Hosta 'Guacamole', a stunning perennial prized for its large, striking leaves with vibrant chartreuse centers and deep green margins, resembling sliced avocado. This variety boasts large, fragrant, pale lavender to white flowers that bloom late in the season, adding a delightful scent to your garden. It's a fast grower that thrives in part shade to full shade, requiring bright light for optimal foliage development. While it prefers moist soil, it becomes drought tolerant once established and can even compete with tree roots. Hosta 'Guacamole' blends beautifully with other foliage and attracts hummingbirds.
$17.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.5
/ 5
Category Rank
1695
/ 3083
#1695 in Landscaping & Garden Plants
Price vs Category Average
-38%
Below average
Mature Height
18
/ inches
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking aromatic blooms for summer landscapes
- Designers looking for high-contrast foliage and texture
- Busy homeowners needing fast-growing, sun-tolerant perennials
Who should skip it
- Gardeners unwilling to manage slug and snail populations
- Shade gardeners hoping for vibrant chartreuse leaf centers
- Owners of small garden beds or limited container space
Performance breakdown
Foliage Visual Impact
Striking chartreuse centers create a high-contrast focal point in shaded beds.
Fragrance Intensity
Rare among hostas, the late-season blooms offer a delightful garden scent.
Establishment Resilience
Exceptional ability to compete with tree roots once the plant matures.
Maintenance Requirements
A low-effort perennial that thrives with minimal intervention after initial planting.
Growth Velocity
Rapid development ensures quick coverage for bare spots in the landscape.
Pollinator Appeal
Fragrant flowers serve as a reliable magnet for local hummingbird populations.
Key Specs
Mature Height
18 inches
Mature Spread
36 inches
Spacing Recommendation
24-36 inches
Hardiness Zones
USDA 3-9
Ships as
BARE ROOT
Lifespan
Perennial
Flower Color
Pale lavender and white
SKU
S31570
Features
- Striking two-toned foliage
- Fragrant late-season blooms
- Fast growth rate
- Drought tolerant when established
- Attracts hummingbirds
- Low maintenance
- Container gardening suitable
- Blends well with other plants
What customers say
Customers highly value the Hosta 'Guacamole' for its aesthetic appeal and reliable performance in shade gardens. The plant consistently arrives healthy and well-rooted, reflecting high stock quality. Its primary draw is the striking visual contrast: large, corrugated leaves with brilliant chartreuse centers framed by deep green margins. A delightful bonus noted by many is the presence of fragrant, near white flowers. Reviewers celebrate its vigorous growth, quickly providing excellent texture and coverage. While the premium price elicits some value discussion, the consensus confirms that the long term beauty and unique fragrance justify the investment for shade enthusiasts seeking visual interest.
Know before you buy
This variety thrives in partial to full shade. While it tolerates shade well, providing some bright, indirect light is essential to maintain the vibrant chartreuse color in the center of the leaves.
Yes, 'Guacamole' is a robust grower that can compete with tree roots once established. Ensure you provide extra water during the first season until it has fully settled into its spot.
Plant your bare root Hosta as soon as possible after it arrives. Soak the roots in water for about an hour before planting, then place them in well-drained soil with the crown just below the surface.
Yes, unlike many other Hostas, 'Guacamole' produces large, pale lavender to white flowers in late summer that offer a noticeable, pleasant fragrance.
Because this Hosta reaches a mature spread of 36 inches, you should space them 24 to 36 inches apart. This allows enough room for the foliage to fill out without overcrowding.
It is considered a low-maintenance perennial. Once established, it is drought-tolerant and primarily requires consistent moisture and the occasional removal of spent flower stalks.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
Ready to buy?
$17