A hybrid of H. 'Gold Regal' × H. ventricosa, this cultivar was originated by Dr. Ralph (Herb) Benedict of Michigan and registered on his behalf by Kevin Walek (Hosta Registrar) in 2009. It forms a large size (20 inches high by 42 inches wide) mound of heart shaped foliage that is slightly wavy and slightly corrugated. It bears bright purple, bell-shaped flowers from mid-July into August and then sets viable seeds.

According to The Hostapedia by Mark Zilis (2009), "...when the purple flowers are in bloom, its foliage-flower combination is hard to beat.'

The New Encyclopedia of Hostas by Diana Grenfell (2009) states: "A deservedly very popular hosta having a great color contrast between its yellow leaf and deep purple flower."

The Genus HOSTA by W. George Schmid (1991), lists this cultivar as H. 'Heart Ache'.

A Photo Essay article by Steve Chamberlain in The Hostta Journal (2010 Vol. 41 No. 1) makes comments about H. 'Heartache', "Herb Benedict never registered this unusual medium-sized cultivar. Initially the leaves are light blue, but slowly they become gold as the season progresses, depending upon the amount of sun exposure."