Hosta Midnight Oil OS

Hosta ‘Midnight Oil’ is a registered and distinctive hosta introduced by Bev & Dave Stegeman in 2004, bred from ‘Potomac Pride’ × ‘Neat Splash Rim’. This offering is OS (Originator’s Stock), meaning plants are sourced directly from the originator’s original stock and designated as OS only when verifiable.

This cultivar is best known for its exceptionally dark foliage, a trait that impressed even when grown with a surprising amount of direct sun. The leaves are thick, very shiny, slightly corrugated, and subtly folded, giving the plant a rich, polished appearance that holds well throughout the season. Plants mature to approximately 15 inches tall and 26 inches wide, forming a dense, attractive clump. In mid-summer, pale purple, lightly striped flowers appear on 20-inch green scapes, adding soft contrast above the dark leaves.

‘Midnight Oil’ is grown primarily for its foliage quality and depth of color. Fertility is limited and sometimes difficult, reinforcing its role as a display and collector plant rather than a primary breeder.

Plant Details

Botanical Name: Hosta ‘Midnight Oil’
Registration Status: Registered
Originator: Bev & Dave Stegeman, 2004
Parentage: ‘Potomac Pride’ × ‘Neat Splash Rim’
Mature Size: Approximately 15 inches tall x 26 inches wide
Leaf Size: Approximately 6 inches long x 4 inches wide
Vein Pairs: 6–7
Foliage Color: Very dark green
Leaf Texture: Thick, very shiny, slightly corrugated and folded
Scape Height: Approximately 20 inches
Flower Color: Pale purple, lightly striped
Bloom Season: July
Fertility: Limited / difficult
OS (Originator’s Stock): Yes – sourced directly from the originator
RH Rating: RH2 (Uncommon – available through select nurseries)
Primary Interest: Ornamental foliage
Garden Use: Shaded borders, specimen plantings, collector hosta gardens