A large size (23 inches high) hosta with dark green leaves and yellow margins, this cultivar was introduced by Carl Mack of Illinois in 1956 and was once listed as Mackwoods No. 22. It was registered under its current name by The American Hosta Society on behalf of Mack and Robert Savory of Savory's Gardens in Minnesota in 1986. The leaves are slightly wavy and of better than average substance. Its funnel shaped, lavender flowers are borne on 34 inch scapes from late July into August.

According to The Hostapedia by Mark Zilis (2009), "Like a number of other white-margined 'Fortunei' types, 'Green Gold' possesses a vigorous growth rate, good durability, and attractive coloration...it has not achieved the popularity of the very similar 'Francee'."

An article by Warren I. Pollack in The Hosta Journal  (2020 Vol. 51 No. 1) titled Doppelgänger Hostas: Fancy Name for Look-alike Hostas, included a long list of hostas which various hostaphiles, published articles or other sources have indicated "look" the same. Some of these are, in fact, the same plant with two or more different names. Others are hostas that vary in some minor trait which is not immediately discernable to the casual observer such as seasonal color variations, bloom traits, ploidy, etc. So, as Warren mentions, hostaphiles may differ as to the plants listed but then, their opinions are based on visual observations and interpretations.

H. 'Fortunei Aureomarginata', H. GOLD CROWN, H. 'Golden Crown', H. 'Green Gold' and H. 'Yellow Band'.