Hosta 'Brim Cup' – Deeply Cupped Foliage from 1986

Hosta 'Brim Cup': Pronounced Cupping by Aden, 1986

'Brim Cup' takes the cupped leaf trait to an extreme. Registered in 1986 by Aden, this cultivar forms leaves so deeply cupped they resemble shallow bowls or cups—hence the name. The cupping is not just a juvenile characteristic; it persists on mature leaves of established plants, creating a remarkable textural display.

Cultivar Profile

• Family: Liliaceae (lil-ee-AY-see-ee)
• Genus: Hosta (HOSS-tuh)
• Cultivar: Brim Cup
• Hybridized by: Aden
• Registered/Introduced: 1986

Ornamental Value

'Brim Cup' develops a medium-sized mound of thick, rubbery, deeply cupped green leaves. The cupping holds water beautifully after rain, creating dozens of tiny reflecting pools. The heavy substance provides excellent slug resistance. This cultivar is a textural tour de force—more sculpture than plant.

Site it where the cupping can be appreciated: raised beds, containers, or along paths. The leaves' concave shape catches light differently than flat foliage, adding dimension to shaded plantings. Lavender flowers bloom in mid-summer. 'Brim Cup' represents the pinnacle of cupped leaf development in hostas, a trait Aden helped pioneer.