 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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