You'll think the seasons have turned topsy-turvy as you watch this splendid Hosta mature! Instead of greeting spring with variegated leaves that "green out" as the weather warms, 'Pineapple Upsidedown Cake' begins a sedate mid-green, then in summer begins to glow with golden tones radiating outward from the center of each leaf, until the only trace left of green is a rich margin!The color patterning is only one of 'Pineapple Upsidedown Cake's' charms, however. The leaves themselves are remarkable -- instead of being rather wide and flat like many Hostas, they are long, slender, and charmingly rippled. Measuring 9 inches long and about 3 inches across, they form a dense, mounded habit 18 inches high and a full 3 feet across. Very showy -- and very useful for edging a long driveway or border, covering ground in the shade, gracing a large container, or dotting the landscape as bold accents!
'Pineapple Upsidedown Cake' is a sport of the renowned 'Pineapple Poll,' and I must say it seems a great improvement in color, texture, and form. Best in full to partial shade, it is not a good choice for that risky dappled- to full-sun area; despite its gold tones, it likes plenty of darkness! Insignificant 2-inch lavender blooms arise in late summer.
Like most Hostas, 'Pineapple Upsidedown Cake' is wonderfully tolerant of various soils provided they are well-drained. Indifferent to cold, drought, heat, and humidity, it makes a fine overplanting for spring-blooming bulbs, as well as a specimen or border planting. Hardy just about everywhere in the U.S., it is a carefree landscape choice you will appreciate for many years to come. Space plats 2 to 2 1/2 feet apart for an unbroken line of color. Zones 3-9.
