Hosta 'Paradigm' - 2007 Hosta of the Year

By Josh Spece
Last revised August 29, 2007

Hosta 'Paradigm'

Hosta 'Paradigm' is a fantastic sport of 'Abiqua Recluse'. It has moderately corrugated, slightly glossy leaves that start with a chartreuse center that gradually turns bright gold and is surrounded by a wide dark green margin. The heavy leaves make 'Paradigm' a real workhorse and ensure that slugs will not be an issue. Hosta 'Paradigm' looks great all season and grows quickly into a large, 4 foot wide clump with pale lavender flowers in early summer.

Hosta 'Paradigm' has been available for many years, but was overlooked as a potential Hosta of the Year candidate until a fellow Iowan started a true "grass-roots" campaign. Bob Axmear, of Waukon, Iowa, is the webmaster of the greatest Hosta website in existence - the Hosta Library. In July 2003 he placed a banner on the Hosta Library website nominating Hosta 'Paradigm' as a good candidate for Hosta of the Year. Many Hosta growers agreed that 'Paradigm' was worthy of the title and even though only members of the American Hosta Growers Association can vote to award a plant Hosta of the Year status, they got the message loud and clear!

If you don't have this hosta in your garden, you can buy Hosta 'Paradigm' from In The Country Garden and Gifts.

Photo courtesy of Bob Axmear

Further Information on Hosta 'Paradigm'

• Hosta of the Year 2007 - 'Paradigm' - Hosta 'Paradigm' information and pictures from the Wisconsin Master Gardeners.
• Hosta 'Paradigm' - MyHosta database entry for 'Paradigm'.