The ‘Lakeside Banana Bay’ Hosta is a highly sought-after perennial cultivar, prized for its luminous foliage that brightens shaded garden spaces. Developed by hybridizer Mary Chastain, this variety belongs to the renowned ‘Lakeside Series,’ known for superior substance and color stability. Its bright coloration and manageable size make it an excellent choice for borders, containers, or mass planting in a woodland setting, offering a vibrant contrast to darker hostas.
Identifying Features of the Leaves and Flowers
The foliage of the ‘Lakeside Banana Bay’ displays a striking variegation pattern that changes subtly throughout the growing season. New leaves emerge in spring with a brighter, chartreuse center that matures into a deep, sunny yellow, often described as banana yellow or gold. This brilliant coloration is dramatically framed by a distinct border of apple green or dark green margin, providing a crisp, two-toned effect. The leaves themselves are moderately sized, exhibiting a glossy texture and a classic heart-shaped form.
Although Hosta are primarily grown for their leaves, the flowers offer a delicate mid-summer display that adds vertical interest to the clump. Rising above the dense mound of foliage on slender scapes, dainty spikes of tubular, bell-shaped flowers appear in shades of pale lavender to near-white. The bloom time typically occurs in mid-summer, providing a soft color contrast to the bright yellow and green leaves.
Essential Care Requirements and Sunlight Needs
Optimal cultivation of the ‘Lakeside Banana Bay’ Hosta starts with providing consistently well-draining soil, ideally one that is rich in organic matter. While this Hosta can tolerate a range of soil types, the focus must remain on ensuring the roots are not sitting in standing water. Incorporating compost or aged manure before planting helps achieve the necessary balance of fertility and drainage for sustained, healthy growth.
Consistent moisture is necessary, especially during the active growth period, as the plant does not tolerate drying out for extended periods. Although it can withstand periods of drought, the foliage will remain much lusher and more vibrant with regular watering. This plant thrives best in partial shade to full shade, where it receives bright, indirect light.
The yellow pigment in the leaves is maintained best when the plant is protected from the harshest rays of the day. Placing the plant where it receives morning sun followed by afternoon shade is often the ideal scenario for maximizing the intensity of the yellow center while preventing leaf scorch. Too much intense, direct afternoon sun can cause the leaf tissue to burn, resulting in bleached or brown areas. Maintaining a balance of adequate light and shade is key to healthy foliage.
Mature Size and Growth Rate
The ‘Lakeside Banana Bay’ Hosta is a small to medium-sized perennial, well-suited for smaller garden spaces or container planting. At maturity, the foliage mound typically reaches a height of about 10 inches, with the flower scapes extending slightly taller to approximately 15 inches. The spread of the clump generally ranges from 16 to 22 inches, forming a dense, symmetrical mound that is wider than it is tall.
This cultivar exhibits a moderate to slow growth rate, a typical characteristic for many variegated hostas. It will form a well-developed clump, but it is not aggressively spreading, which makes it easy to manage in a mixed border. Gardeners should anticipate that it will take approximately two to five years for the plant to achieve its full, ultimate dimensions and exhibit the full density of its mature foliage.
Protecting the Plant from Common Garden Pests
The primary maintenance concern for the ‘Lakeside Banana Bay’ Hosta involves protecting its tender foliage from mollusks, specifically slugs and snails, which are attracted to the plant’s leaves. These pests feed by creating characteristic smooth, irregular holes across the leaf surface, often leaving behind silvery slime trails. To minimize damage, gardeners should deploy baited traps or use physical barriers, particularly during the early spring when new growth emerges and the mollusks are most active.
Another effective preventative measure is to ensure the garden area is free of debris and to remove spent foliage in late fall, which eliminates hidden places where slugs and snails lay their eggs. While not a pest, crown rot is a disease concern that can be mitigated by ensuring the soil remains well-drained and by avoiding excessive mulching directly against the plant’s crown. Deer and rabbits also find Hosta foliage palatable and may require additional deterrents, such as repellents or protective fencing.