When you say afternoon sun, was it getting full unobstructed sun? Did you make sure it was getting enough water?

Some of my biggest hosta prance right through full, afternoon western sun. If they are established well and watered when young, they actually love it!

Last year was brutal b/c of the drought here. I don't think I lost any hosta (that I remember anyway lol) but MANY of them were set back.

In general, golden leaved hostas do best in more sun. Sum and Substance can get to be a monstrous beast in full sun!

I have Sum and Substance and Guacamole in full sun including in the afternoon, and I'm planning to do the same with Fried Bananas. Generally speaking, I think sports and relatives of S&S (Parhelion, Final Summation) and of Plantaginea can take it. However, it depends on the amount of water you give them and your latitude. The further north you are the more sun they'll take. With drip irrigation you can probably increase the water to make it more likely to have success with mid-day or afternoon sun with a number of different hostas.

Steve

Steve

If it was alive all the way up to dormancy, then it's more likely another issue besides sun.

Critter ate the roots/crown
Too much water... it could have rotted the crown in the winter
frost heave left crown exposed to the New England elements

I think maybe it was stressed from the hot hot summer and the record winter we just had. I have another one I put in a pot last year planning to move it. I will put it in and water more frequently. I can't really do drip irrigation due to the location of the plant.

Thanks for the responses!
Jane