Thomas Donahue of Massachusetts registered this cultivar (named for his wife) in 1986 as a sport of H. 'Fortunei'. The foliage starts the season as a green hosta with a wide yellow medial (center) variegation. As the season progresses, most specimens turn green.  It forms a large size (23 inches high by about 41 inches wide) mound of somewhat cupped, slightly corrugated leaves with better than average substance. The pale lavender flowers bloom from mid-July into August.

According to The Hostapedia by Mark Zilis (2009), this cultivar "...belongs to the class of cultivars with 'Fortunei Albopicta' type variegation. Like most of them, once the average daily temperature reaches the upper 60's, its variegation fades away...formerly known as 'Jacqueline', 'Marcia',..."

The New Encyclopedia of Hostas by Diana Grenfell (2009) states: "Moderate to rapid growth rate...Central variegation is overlaid with fine, netted veins."

"Plant is an unstable sport of H. 'Fortunei'; reverts to all green."

This was named for Sharmon Donahue.