The Rarest Tini — A Cupped Blue Miniature for the Serious Collector
Hosta 'Cupatini' is a miniature blue-green cultivar bred by Mark Zilis, widely regarded as the rarest of the Tini series. It is a hybrid of a sport of H. 'Blue Dimples' × H. 'Shining Tot', combining rugged blue genetics with a refined, compact habit. Unlike its flat-leafed siblings, 'Cupatini' features distinctly cupped, rounded leaves that create a sculptural tea-cup silhouette in the garden. Hardy across Canadian zones 3–9, it suits trough gardens, containers, and shaded borders from Quebec to British Columbia. Every division is verified True to Type at our Bécancour trial fields before it ships.
-
Distinctive Cupped Habit: Rounded blue-green leaves cup upward to create a unique tea-cup appearance — a sculptural contrast among flat-leafed hostas.
-
Rare White Blooms: While most Tini cultivars produce purple flowers, 'Cupatini' bears elegant white blooms that pop against its cool foliage in mid-summer.
-
Miniature Scale: At just 28 cm tall, it is an elite choice for trough gardens and containers where its cupped leaf form can be appreciated up close.
-
High-End Pedigree: Descended from H. 'Blue Dimples' × H. 'Shining Tot', it inherits exceptional blue colouring and compact vigour from both parents.
| Feature |
Specification |
| Size (H × W) |
28 cm × 41 cm (11" × 16") |
| Hardiness Zone |
3–9 |
| Colour |
Blue-green with white flowers |
| Light Requirements |
Partial to full shade |
Grower's Tip: Plant 'Cupatini' in a container or trough where its cupped leaves can catch morning dew and be admired at eye level. Because this variety is exceptionally rare, we apply our True to Type standard with extra care at our Bécancour trial fields — personally confirming the cupping is well-defined and the root system vigorous before every shipment across Canada.
