Bug summary

In matplotlib 3.9.0, when plotting dates on the X-axis, calling axhspan unexpectedly expands the X-axis range from 1970 to 2024. This behavior did not occur in version 3.8.4, where the X-axis correctly ranges from 2020 to 2024.

Code for reproduction

import datetime
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

x = [datetime.date(year, 1, 1) for year in range(2020, 2024)]
y = range(4)

plt.plot(x, y)
plt.axhspan(1, 2)

Actual outcome

Expected outcome

Additional information

No response

Operating system

Fedora

Matplotlib Version

3.9.0

Matplotlib Backend

inline or Agg

Python version

3.12.3

Jupyter version

4.2.1

Installation

pip