This cultivar is a tissue culture sport of H. 'Cherry Berry' that was registered by Mark Zilis of Illinois in 1999. This rhizomatous plant forms a large size (21 inches high) mound of medium green foliage. The flower scapes are tall (up to 45 inches) and greenish purple in color with pale purple flowers opening from late July into August.

According to The Hostapedia by Mark Zilis (2009), this cultivar "...is merely a green leaved sport of 'Cherry Berry' and its scapes are purplish, not the vivid red of its mother plant. In the garden, however, 'Marachino Cherry' rates as a superior plant...possesses one of the fastest growth rates of all hosta cultivars."

The New Encyclopedia of Hostas by Diana Grenfell (2009) states: "Remarkable dark red scapes towering above the leaf mound, followed by red seedpods, in contrast to the dark green leaves."