Overview
Hosta 'Night Before Christmas' is a clump forming perennial in the genus Hosta, part of the Q157167 family, with deciduous foliage. Hosta 'Night Before Christmas' grows best in partial shade and shade, and tolerates rich and well-drained soils and neutral to slightly acidic pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include borders, groundcover and shade gardens.
About
A large, vigorous hosta with heart-shaped, blue-green leaves edged in creamy white, maturing to a wide white margin. Produces lavender flowers in summer.
About the genus
Hosta is a genus of plants commonly known as hostas, plantain lilies and occasionally by the Japanese name gibōshi. Hostas are widely cultivated as shade-tolerant foliage plants. The genus is placed in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Agavoideae, and is native to northeast Asia.
Wikipedia contributors, "Hosta", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Hosta
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Hosta
- Sunlight
- partial shade, shade
- Soil type
- rich, well-drained
- Soil pH
- neutral to slightly acidic
- Soil moisture
- moist
- Aspect
- north, east, west
- Exposure
- sheltered to semi-exposed
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
Hosta 'Night Before Christmas' size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- perennial
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- borders, groundcover, shade gardens
- Toxicity
- toxic to pets
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Hosta 'Night Before Christmas'
- Cultivation
- Prefers moist, fertile soil in partial to full shade. Mulch to retain moisture and protect roots.
- Pruning
- Remove dead or damaged leaves as needed; cut back flower stalks after blooming.
- Propagation
- division in spring or autumn
- Pest resistance
- Slugs, Snails
- Disease resistance
- Virus diseases
Frequently asked questions
How do I grow Hosta 'Night Before Christmas'?
Prefers moist, fertile soil in partial to full shade. Mulch to retain moisture and protect roots.
Where is the best place to plant Hosta 'Night Before Christmas'?
Hosta 'Night Before Christmas' prefers partial shade and shade. It suits sheltered to semi-exposed positions.
What soil does Hosta 'Night Before Christmas' need?
Hosta 'Night Before Christmas' grows best in rich and well-drained soil. It prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil. Aim for soil that stays moist.
How do I prune Hosta 'Night Before Christmas'?
Remove dead or damaged leaves as needed; cut back flower stalks after blooming.
Is Hosta 'Night Before Christmas' hardy in the UK?
Hosta 'Night Before Christmas' has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.
How do I propagate Hosta 'Night Before Christmas'?
Division in spring or autumn.
Is Hosta 'Night Before Christmas' toxic?
Toxic to pets.
From the Fenn Plants journal
- Notes on DaffodilsWhen to plant daffodil bulbs in the UK, how deep, how to naturalise them in grass, why daffodils stop flowering (“blindness”), and why you should never mix cut daffodils with other flowers.
- Keeping Your NerveHow to garden through a heatwave — the best time to water, why deep soaks beat daily sprinkles, caring for pots and vulnerable plants, and why you can let the lawn go brown.
- Made to LastHow to clean, store and protect garden pots and planters — the frost-proof vs frost-resistant difference, winter care for terracotta and ceramic, and how to reuse a broken pot.
More in the Hosta genus
- Hostaplantain lily
- Hosta 'Dust Devil' (_fortunei_) (v)Hosta
- Hosta 'Francee'Hosta
- Hosta 'Honeybells'plantain lily 'Honeybells'
- Hosta 'Kabitan'Plantain Lily
- Hosta 'Krossa Regal'plantain lily 'Krossa Regal'
- Hosta 'Royal Standard'plantain lily 'Royal Standard'
- Hosta albomarginataPlantain Lily
