Sum & Substance is the giant of the hosta world, with huge chartreuse-gold leaves that can span a foot or more, building into a clump four to five feet wide. One plant anchors a shade bed the way a shrub would.

Its thick, waxy leaves take more sun than most hostas and shrug off slugs better too; a little morning light actually deepens the gold color. Give it steady water and rich soil, and leave room; it earns its footprint in a few seasons.