Registered by Dr. Jim and Jill Wilkins of Michigan in 1995, this cultivar is a sport of a seedling of H. 'William Lachman'. This large size (28 inches high by 67 inches wide) plant has wavy, slightly corrugated leaves with thick substance. Lavender flowers appear on nearly four foot tall scapes in July.

According to The Hostapedia by Mark Zilis (2009), "Based on its merits, 'Leading Lady', by now should be one of the most popular hosta cultivars. It is not. The only possible reason is that its great beauty can only be appreciated at maturity."

The New Encyclopedia of Hostas by Diana Grenfell (2009) states: "Moderate growth rate. A superb specimen hosta."

This cultivar was winner of the Benedict Garden Performance Medal for 2014.