Hosta Night before Christmas (Plantain Lily)

Award-winning Hosta ‘Night before Christmas’ (Plantain Lily) is a clump-forming perennial forming a moderately dense, semi-upright mound of heart-shaped, white leaves, 8 in. long (20 cm), widely and irregularly margined dark olive green. Satiny above and shiny underneath, the leaves are held on ivory-streaked stems. Loose clusters of tubular, pale purple flowers appear on tall, upright scapes reaching 34 in. (85 cm), in mid to late summer. They attract hummingbirds and songbirds.

Award-winning Hosta ‘Night before Christmas’ (Plantain Lily) is a clump-forming perennial forming a moderately dense, semi-upright mound of heart-shaped, white leaves, 8 in. long (20 cm), widely and irregularly margined dark olive green. Satiny above and shiny underneath, the leaves are held on ivory-streaked stems. Loose clusters of tubular, pale purple flowers appear on tall, upright scapes reaching 34 in. (85 cm), in mid to late summer. They attract hummingbirds and songbirds. Moderately fast-growing, this variegated hosta cultivar makes a beautiful specimen in the home garden.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
  • Grows 18 in. tall (45 cm) and 36 in. wide (90 cm).
  • Performs best in part shade to full shade in fertile, moist, well-drained soils. Shelter from cold, dry winds.
  • Perfect for the shade garden, mixed with other perennials in bed and borders, city gardens, cottage gardens or containers. Great as a groundcover, specimen plant, or underplanting shrubs and roses.
  • Watch for slugs and snails which could damage the attractive foliage.
  • Cut off the stems after blooming to encourage the plant's growth. Discolored leaves should be trimmed back to the ground.
  • Propagate by division in early spring or late summer.
  • Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.

Requirements

Hardiness 3
– 9

Heat Zones 2
– 9

Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Hosta – Plantain Lilies
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Mid,Late)Summer (Early,Mid,Late)Fall
Height 1'
– 2'
(30cm
– 60cm)
Spread 2'
– 3'
(60cm
– 90cm)
Spacing 36″ (90cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy
Attracts Birds, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Ground Covers, Patio and Containers, Underplanting Roses and Shrubs
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden