White Flower Farm
Hosta 'Abiqua Drinking Gourd'
Best low-maintenance choice for shade gardeners seeking slug-resistant, sculptural foliage.
Introduce sculptural beauty to your garden with Hosta 'Abiqua Drinking Gourd.' This distinctive perennial features deeply cupped, blue-green leaves that create captivating light and shadow effects, perfect for woodland settings. Its thick, rippled foliage naturally deters slugs, and it produces charming white flowers. Thriving in moist, well-drained soil and partial to full shade, this low-maintenance plant offers year-round interest. It's an ideal choice for mass plantings or as a striking specimen, adding unique texture and form to any landscape.
$17.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
759
/ 2996
#759 in Landscaping & Garden Plants
Price vs Category Average
-38%
Below average
Cultivar
Abiqua Drinking Gourd
/ Abiqua Drinking Gourd
Who it's for
- Landscapers wanting consistent, vibrant blue foliage all season long
- Gardeners seeking unique architectural texture for their shade beds
- Homeowners tired of battling slugs and snails in the garden
Who should skip it
- Urban gardeners with limited space or small container setups
- Impatient gardeners looking for rapid landscape filling
- Owners of sunny garden spots lacking deep shade coverage
Performance breakdown
Pest Resistance
Thick, puckered foliage creates a natural barrier against hungry slugs.
Shade Adaptability
Thrives in low-light woodland spots where other perennials struggle to grow.
Maintenance Ease
A reliable, low-effort perennial that requires minimal intervention once established.
Visual Texture
Deeply cupped leaves provide dramatic sculptural depth to any garden bed.
Root Competition Tolerance
Robust enough to hold its own near established tree root systems.
Hardiness Range
Versatile growth across a wide spectrum of USDA climate zones.
Key Specs
Cultivar
Abiqua Drinking Gourd
Botanical Name
Hosta
Mature Height
18 inches
Mature Width
0.0 feet
USDA Hardiness Zones
3 to 9
Bloom Time
July
Bloom Season
Summer
Foliage Color
Blue-green
Features
- Unusual, deeply cupped foliage
- Thick leaf texture deters slugs
- Produces sparkling white flowers
- Adds sculptural interest to shade gardens
- Low-maintenance perennial
- Attractive blue-green leaf color
- Tolerates competition from tree roots
- Suitable for woodland gardens
What customers say
Customers overwhelmingly praise the Hosta 'Abiqua Drinking Gourd' for its exceptional quality and striking architectural design. The deeply cupped, blue green foliage creates a significant focal point in shade gardens. Reviewers consistently note the vigor and health of the received stock, often citing robust root systems and professional packaging that aids successful establishment. A key benefit is the thick leaf structure, which naturally resists slugs, contributing to long term satisfaction. While the plant's inherent quality is rarely questioned, some buyers express reservations regarding the value proposition. They feel the premium price warrants a larger initial specimen, especially since this variety matures slowly. Despite the initial cost sensitivity, the consensus confirms this Hosta is a worthwhile, distinctive investment for dedicated gardeners.
Know before you buy
Yes, its thick, heavy-textured foliage is naturally resistant to slug damage compared to thinner-leaved Hosta varieties.
Absolutely. This cultivar is known for its ability to tolerate competition from tree roots, making it an excellent choice for woodland garden settings.
It performs best in partial to full shade. Avoid planting it in direct, hot afternoon sun, which can scorch the blue-green leaves.
Since this Hosta reaches a mature height of 18 inches and has a substantial spread, you should space them approximately 24 to 30 inches apart to allow for proper air circulation and growth.
No, this Hosta is not considered deer resistant. If you have a high deer population in your area, you may need to use protective netting or repellents.
It prefers damp, rich, slightly acidic soil that remains consistently moist but well-drained. Adding organic matter like compost at planting time will help provide the nutrients it needs.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
Ready to buy?
$17