Hosta ‘Night before Christmas’ (Plantain Lily)
Plantain Lily 'Night before Christmas', Night before Christmas Hosta
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 | Asparagaceae |
| Genus | Hosta |
| 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) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Plant of Merit, Showy |
| Tolerance | Full Shade |
| 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 |
Alternative Plants to Consider
Recommended Companion Plants
Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens
Walters Gardens
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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 | Asparagaceae |
| Genus | Hosta |
| 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) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Plant of Merit, Showy |
| Tolerance | Full Shade |
| 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 |
