H. ‘Night before Christmas’

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.