This large size (about 24 inches high) cultivar has a wide (60 inches) spreading, low growing habit that makes it unique. The foliage is broadly wavy, slightly corrugated and has a deeply lobed base. Lavender flowers on long, drooping scapes bloom from late July into August. It was registered by Paul Aden of New York in 1986 as a sport of a Japanese seedling.

According to The Hosta Handbook by Mark Zilis (2000), "I have not seen this plant "burn" as golden Sieboldianas often do, and it certainly competes with 'Sum and Substance' and 'Solar Flare' for the honor of "best big gold"."

From the Field Guide to Hostas by Mark Zilis (2014), "...formerly thought to be a Paul Aden origination, but originator now considered unknown...Its unusual, wide-spreading mound habit creates an appearance shared only by its sports...works well as a breeding plant..."

The New Encyclopedia of Hostas by Diana Grenfell (2009) states: "Among the best in this category...Will light up dark borders...Flowers are densely packed toward the tip of the scape. The leaf tip pinches and droops in maturity."

"It is hard to find a really true gold-leafed hosta, but this one comes as near as any to fit that description. The gold leaves are smooth and spade shaped. There is very little crinkling, puckering or seersuckering that characterize the popular golds; yet, there is something about this plant that appears to me very much. Perhaps it is the smoothness and flatness of the leaves that makes 'Daybreak' so distinctive. It also performs well in considerable shade in my garden."   "Given a half day of sun this large, gold hosta stores the brilliance of the sun and brightens the darkest corner of any garden for the rest of the day. The leaves of 'Daybreak' are quite shiny and form a rather upright clump."