Round, Puckered, and Perfectly Proportioned — a Miniature With Maximum Character
R. Goodenough registered Hosta 'Nippers' in 2006, crossing H. 'Fascination' with H. 'Black Beauty' to produce this distinctive small cultivar. Its nearly round leaves are deeply corrugated and held at 90 degrees from the petiole, giving the mound-like clump a bold, sculptural presence despite its compact size. The very dark green surface is slightly shiny on top, adding depth and polish to the foliage. Pink bell-shaped blooms rise well above the plant on green scapes in mid-July, proportionate and charming. Canadian gardeners from Zone 3 through 9 will find it an easy and rewarding grower.
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Distinctive leaf habit: Nearly round, deeply corrugated leaves held at 90 degrees from the petiole — a bold sculptural look in a compact package.
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Very dark green: Slightly shiny on top with a rich, saturated dark green colour that holds intensity all season long.
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Pink blooms: Bell-shaped pink to near-pink flowers appear in mid-July on green scapes 27.9–33.0 cm (11–13") tall — well above the foliage and perfectly proportionate.
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Small but mighty: Clumps grow 25.4 cm (10") tall and 30.5 cm (12") wide — ideal for troughs, containers, rock gardens, and front-of-border planting.
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Registered pedigree: Bred by R. Goodenough from H. 'Fascination' × H. 'Black Beauty' — a carefully selected cross with a strong horticultural heritage.
| Feature |
Specification |
| Size (H × W) |
25.4 cm × 30.5 cm (10" × 12") |
| Hardiness Zone |
3–9 |
| Colour |
Very dark green, slightly shiny |
| Light Requirements |
Partial to full shade |
Grower's Tip: 'Nippers' handles Canadian winters with ease from Zone 3 through 9, and its compact mound-like habit makes it a natural fit for troughs, rock gardens, and shaded container plantings. We grow it at our nursery in Bécancour, QC, where its deeply corrugated dark green leaves look especially striking in close-up garden vignettes. Our True to Type standard means you receive the authentic R. Goodenough selection — verified before it leaves Bécancour.
