This large size (27 inches high) plant, according to The Hosta Handbook by Mark Zilis (2000), "...is one of the best gold-leaved Sieboldiana type hostas."  It was registered by Paul Aden of New York in 1978 and is a result of the cross between H. 'White Vision' × H. 'Golden Prayers'."

The foliage is heavily corrugated, has thick substance and is cupped. Very pale lavender to near white flowers bloom in late June to early July. It is NOT susceptible to spring desiccation burn like some similar hostas.

According to The Hostapedia by Mark Zilis (2009), "Despite being one of the oldest gold-leaved hosta cultivars, 'City Lights' still ranks highly for color, substance, and overall appearance. The shape of its flowers is more open than that of other H. 'Sieboldiana'-types."