Brent Wilson · Gardenality Administrator · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F · Comment About Planting
Sum And Substance Hosta Lily is one that will tolerate more sun than most other hostas. Still, in the Deep South, I try to give it a little shade in the afternoon. Sum And Substance is a large growing hosta so, in order for it not to overcrowd other plants nearby, give it plenty of room to grow in the garden.

To plant, dig a hole a two feet or so wide and no deeper than the root ball. If your soil isn't loamy, mix in a soil conditioner or some organic matter at a 50/50 ratio to the native soil removed from the planting hole. Composted cow manure, mushroom compost, or your own homemade compost would be good amendments. Set the plant into the hole you've prepared, making sure the top of the root ball is slightly above the soil level. Pull your backfill soil mixture around the root ball in the hole, tamping as you go to remove air pockets. Then water thoroughly and cover with a one-inch layer of mulch.

Brent Wilson · Gardenality Administrator · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F · Comment About Pruning
Sum And Substance Hosta requires no pruning. Damaged or discolored leaves can be removed anytime during the season. After the plant has gone dormant for winter dead foliage can be removed.

Brent Wilson · Gardenality Administrator · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F · Comment About Feeding
I fertilize hosta lilies with a slow-release, natural or organic plant food just when new foliage begins to emerge in spring.

Brent Wilson · Gardenality Administrator · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F · Comment About Problems
There are several insect and diseases that can attack hosta lilies however Sum And Substance has demonstrated itself to be quite resistant. Deer do like hosta lilies, so plant them where the deer can't get to them. It hasn't showed up in any of the hostas growing in my garden, but there is a new virus called Hosta Virus X (XVX). The virus is usually caused when the plant is cut. Then the sap on your tools from the cut plant can infect other plants. Signs that your plant might have the virus are mottling and spotting on the leaves, or leaves may appear bumpy, or with brown spots or twisted leaves. If you recognize the virus in any of your plants, it's best to remove and discard the plant and don't plant another hosta in the same spot.