"Got proof, E.O.? :o)" janice Sally Grower sent the proof, I'm convinced I can tell the difference 100% of the time with 5+ year clumps. This is not to say that Gold Standard isn't a wonderful hosta and everyone "needs" one. The photo I would have taken if necessary would have been 6ft across with very little burn, that GS can sometimes have with a little to much light or short on water. Janice get a hold of yourself you've become a photo junkie. Were it not for hosta being God's gift I would refer you to I Kgs 12-28.

bobinfrance- Thank you for the list of possible additions. I'll research those on your list in an attempt to verify these are tetraploids. Do you have a source I may refer to? sugarman- 'Essence of Summer' is already on the list posted :) Here are links to two Internet articles about tetraploid hostas: "Tetraploid Hostas" article by Bridgewood Gardens A definition of "tetraploid" by Westside Hostas FAQ's including a link to a scientific study of tetraploidism One web site which posts a Glosaary of Hosta Terms defines "tetraploid" as follows: "Tetraploidy is the trait of having twice as many chromosomes as what is "normal." Normally, the pollen provides one set of chromosomes from the male plant (pollen parent), the ovary provides a set of chromosomes from the female plant (pod parent), so the seed has a complete set of chromosome pairs (and so is called diploid). Either by natural or biochemical manipulation of the cells in the plant, it is possible to have plants with two (identical) sets of chromosomes in each cell. In hostas, there is a species that is naturally tetraploid: H. ventricosa that has the rare capability to produce seed by apomixis, or asexual means without benefit of pollen. By treatment of tissue cultures, hostas can be "converted" to tetraploidy, but this hasn't been done in hostas as much as it has in daylilies. Tetraploid plants generally have more vigor, substance, larger blooms, etc. A drawback of tetraploid plants is that the pollen is significantly larger (to hold the extra chromosomes) and so is difficult to use in breeding new hostas. Triploid hostas result from crossing diploid with tetraploid plants, and are effectively sterile." Tetraploidism in hostas has been achieved by the application of certain herbicides. Some people are using Surflan and Treflan to do conversions. This is much safer for people than colchicines, but not as safe for the plants. I'm not sure of the concentrations or the best methods of applying it. Some of these were perhaps accidental conversions, but others appear to be applying these herbicides intentionally to encourage tetrapoidism in hostas. Are there any articles that someone could post that would provide good reading? Are there articles from previous Hosta Journals or other hosta and gardening books? Don PS I'll plan to post all of my hosta lists on the Hosta FAQ's Page in the next few days :)

As far as I know, there are six sports of 'Paul's Glory' with a gold center and a broad blue-green margin, as follows: 'American Glory Be' (Wade 1999) 'Lakeside Shore Master' (Chastain 1998) 'Paradise Glory' (Fransen NR) 'Pete's Passion' (Ruh 1997) 'Pride and Joy' (Rawson 2010) 'St. Paul' (Goad NR) This assumes that 'Lakeside Shore Master' is a sport of 'Paul's Glory'. The registration for 'Lakeside Shore Master' says "Parentage Unknown". Zilis writes in The Hostapedia, "Though 'Lakeside Shore Master' was registered as having unknown parentage, it acts like a sport of 'Paul's Glory' in almost every mound, leaf, and flowering characteristic. The main difference from 'Paul's Glory' is its much wider margin, being similar in that regard to 'Pete's Passion' and 'American Glory Be'," (page 541). Under the entry for 'St. Paul', Zilis says that " 'St. Paul' differs from 'Paul's Glory' by its much wider margin. Differences, however, from 'American Glory Be' and 'Lakeside Shore Master' are negligible," (The Hostapedia, page 889). I grow four of the hostas listed above in my own garden within sight of each other. They are mature clumps and are nearly indistinguishable from one another. Sometimes it is suggested that 'St. Paul' and 'Paradise Glory' are tetraploids, such as on this webpage posted by Bridgewood Gardens'. IMO, I doubt there is sufficient evidence to make that conclusion, and only by further testing would we know for certain. Hosta 'Lakeside Shore Master' is distinct from the other five in this respect: the leaf substance is greater than all the others. The foliage of 'Lakeside Shore Master' measures .013-.014 inches thick, while the foliage of the others measures .010-.011 inches thick. IMO, that seems to indicate that 'Lakeside Shore Master' may be tetraploid, or perhaps partially tetraploid (a ploidy chimera).

(observations from my garden) ...However, if Gold Standard is grown in shade, the center stays chartreuse. I didn't know that it would change color if moved to a sunnier spot until I joined this forum in 2005. It is attractive either way. Paul's Glory not only has somewhat thicker leaves, but they also have some corrugation. Gold Standard leaves are fairly smooth. I don't know how much difference there is between very young GS and PG hostas . Sometimes certain characteristics only show up with some age. I know a lot of people really like Paul's Glory. Mine were very tiny when purchased, and slow to increase in size. I'm not a fan. Gold Standard increases rapidly, and I love, love, love them. Have six, growing in different light locations. ~Bunnycat