This is a seedling of a cross between H. 'Sum and Substance' × an H. venusta seedling made by Mark Zilis of Illinois and Doug Lohman of Ohio who registered it in 1988. A medium size (17 inches high) plant, it has moderately wavy leaves that are generally smooth. It has red petioles and bears medium purple flowers in July.

According to The Hostapedia by Mark Zilis (2009), this cultivar "...offers attractive, very shiny, dark green foliage, a fast growth rate, and a decent flower performance."

Mark Zilis (2009) also says that this cultivar came from the same seed pod as 'Golden Decade', 'Courtesy', 'Little Razor', and 'New Wave'."

Of the five plants registered from seeds that all came from one seedpod, 3 ('Leather Sheen', 'Little Razor' and 'New Wave') were jointly registered by Doug Lohman and Mark Zilis. The other 2 ('Golden Decade' and 'Courtesy') were registered solely by Mark Zilis.

A Photo Essay article by Steve Chamberlain in The Hostta Journal (2010 Vol. 41 No. 1) makes comments about H. 'Leather Sheen', "Mark Zilis and Doug Lohman registered this cross between the giant 'Sum and Substance' and the tiny H. venusta in 1988. In maturity it makes a spreading carpet reflective of H. venusta, but with the thick substance of 'Sum and Substance' and dark green, shiny leaves."