Abiqua Drinking Gourd is notable for its large blue-green leaves shaped like a cup. Their thick substance helps resist slugs. It was named Hosta of the Year for 2014 by the American Hosta Growers Association.

Hostas are shade tolerant, easy to grow, and long lived. Although they produce flowers held high above the foliage on long stalks called scapes, they are grown primarily for their foliage and neat habit. Hostas are actively hybridized for leaf size, shape, color, and texture; natural mutations or “sports” are common, and new introductions abound. Cultivars range in size from several inches to several feet; it may take 3 to 8 years for hostas to reach their full size. They all prefer moist, loamy soil enriched with organic matter. Some leaf damage by slugs is to be expected, and deer find hosta delicious.