H. ‘Night before Christmas’
Hosta ‘Night before Christmas’ is a registered cultivar () .
| Year registered | 1994 |
|---|---|
| Section class | IV-6a (Small) |
Overview
A sport of Hosta 'White Christmas' registered in 1994, 'Night before Christmas' is a small hosta distinguished by its unusual color reversal: creamy white leaf centers are bordered by medium green margins, the inverse of the typical white-margined pattern. The leaves are 8 inches (20.3 cm) long and 3 inches (7.6 cm) wide, with 6 to 8 pairs of veins, a slightly shiny upper surface, and a dull underside.
In the Garden
Reaching 18 inches (45.7 cm) in height and 30 inches (76.2 cm) in diameter with a semi-upright habit, 'Night before Christmas' performs best in partial to full shade, as is typical for hostas. Its small size suits it for the front of borders, rock gardens, or container plantings, where its white-centered leaves provide contrast against darker foliage such as Heuchera or ferns. The creamy white scapes, 29 to 36 inches (73.7 to 91.4 cm) tall, produce flowers in midsummer.
Care Notes
Water regularly to maintain even soil moisture, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Like many hostas with white leaf centers, this cultivar is susceptible to sun scorch in strong light and may be damaged by slugs and deer in garden settings.
This summary was generated with AI from the registry record and has not been reviewed yet; the registry data on this page is the reference. How we use AI.
Size and leaf
| Clump height | 18 in (45.7 cm) |
|---|---|
| Clump width | 30 in (76.2 cm) |
| Leaf length | 8 in (20.3 cm) |
| Leaf width | 3 in (7.6 cm) |
| Vein pairs | 8 |
| Leaf | creamy white with .75in (1.9cm) wide, medium green, smooth margins; slightly shiny on top; dull underneath |
| Flower scape height | 29–36 in (73.7–91.4 cm) |
From the American Hosta Society Registry record.
Parentage
- Sport parent: Sport of H. 'White Christmas' — H. ‘White Christmas’
Registered cultivars that list Hosta ‘Night before Christmas’ as a parent:
- H. ‘Christmas Candy’ (sport)
- H. ‘Sno Cone’ (sport)
Similar cultivars
Other registered hostas in the same AHS section class (IV-6a, small size):
- H. ‘Champagne’ (1994)
- H. ‘June’ (1991)
- H. ‘Fire and Ice’ (1999)
- H. ‘Silver Tiara’ (1988)
- H. ‘June Fever’ (2004)
- H. ‘Rainbow's End’ (2005)
Related guides
Registration data: AHS Registry #4021. How we check this data.