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Hosta 'Pandora's Box'

One of the top small size (6-8 inches high by 15-19 inches wide) hostas, this is a tissue culture sport of H. 'Baby Bunting.' It was registered by Hans Hansen and Shady Oaks Nursery of Minnesota in 1996.

The leaves of this cultivar are ovate shaped, slightly corrugated and have thin substance. It bears bright purple flowers on whitish scapes in July.

According to The Hostapedia by Mark Zilis (2009), "This tissue culture sport became incredibly popular upon its introduction in the late 1990s. For a white-centered hosta, it has a good growth rate and makes an excellent variegated specimen for the shaded rock garden or trough."

The Book of Little Hostas by Kathy and Michael Shadrack (2010) says: "The large white area makes this hosta a challenge to grow. It needs just the right amount of light; in cool climates, it can take a whole morning of sun but much less in warmer climes. Success is more certain if you grow it in a tray or trough for a few years before transferring to the garden. Once established, it makes a very striking, tight clump of contrasting foliage. Reversions are common; keep a vigilant watch for fully green leaves and remove them quickly."

The New Encyclopedia of Hostas by Diana Grenfell (2009) states in its Miniature Hostas chapter: "Emerges early...Establish in a container before planting out. Slow to increase; do not divide until the root system is fully developed. Easily reverts to a plain green leaf, so regular division of the clump is essential. Not an easy hosta to cultivate but well worth any extra trouble taken to ensure that it thrives. Plant to cascade over a small rock for a pleasing effect...Flower scape is pale pink, and the white-margined buds and the bracts are outlined in green."

In Greek mythology, Pandora was the first human woman created by the gods.


An article by Akira Horinaka in The Hosta Journal (2006 Vol. 37 No. 1) says,  "Other white-centered hostas with bold green borders are 'Banana Boat', 'Warwick Delight', 'Pandora's Box', 'Sea Thunder' and 'Fire and Ice'. Those with a narrow green border include 'Morinji Nishiki', 'Otome-no-mai', 'Hakuba' and 'White Christmas'."

Mikiko Lockwood in an article on The Hosta Library titled, A Little About Japanese Hosta Terms defines the term otome as maiden, 'Otome Gibōshi' or H. venusta and the term nishiki as brocade (rich-colored woven fabric) i.e. something colorful and beautiful.

 In answer to a question about growing smaller hostas that appeared in The Hosta Journal (2012 Vol. 43 No. 2), Chuck & Sue Anderson of Mason Hollow Nursery in New Hampshire made the following comment, "H. 'Pandora's Box' is one many people report trouble growing. We used to plant it near the fronts of borders and it never made it. Put in a raised bed, rock garden-like environment, 'Pandora's Box' is spectacular."


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