Brighten up a shade spot in the garden with ‘White Christmas’. With it’s white leaves edged with thin green margins it is one of the whitest hostas available. The dominance of white, of course, can be a problem as the plant may struggle to make enough food to keep it alive. The solution is to grow it in as much light as possible but not so much as to burn the edges of the leaves. This may involve extra watering but the result is worth the effort. The center of the plant should turn green in the summer and this will alleviate the problem somewhat as the plant is able to produce more food. Summer will also bring lavender bell-shaped flowers borne on slender scapes 12-24 inches tall, well above the foliage. ‘White Christmas’ is an excellent plant for a shade garden and is very effective when planted in masses.
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Bloom: Raceme of bell-shaped light lavender flowers on 12-24” scapes in mid-summer
Size: 12-16” H x 18-24” W
Light: Part shade; morning sun
Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drained
Hardiness: Zones 3-8
Care: Low maintenance
Pests and Diseases: Slugs, deer; susceptible to leaf spot and crown rot
Propagation: Division in spring or fall
Companion plants: White fringed bleeding heart, sweet woodruff, ferns, astilbe.
Karen Meyers