Paradigm is a hosta that reverses the usual pattern: bright gold leaf centers with wide blue-green margins, and the gold gets richer as the season goes on rather than fading. The corrugated leaves have heavy substance, and the clump builds to two to three feet across.

A little morning sun deepens the gold center, but keep it out of hot afternoon light. Rich, moist, well-drained soil and steady summer water are the recipe, as with all hostas. The thick leaves also stand up better to slugs than most.