Discovering Abiqua Drinking Gourd: A Unique Hosta Plant

What is Abiqua Drinking Gourd?

If you're a gardening enthusiast, you've probably heard of hostas. These leafy perennials are easy to grow and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. One such hosta that has gained popularity in recent years is the Abiqua Drinking Gourd.

This unique plant gets its name from the shape of its leaves, which curve inward like a drinking gourd. The Abiqua Drinking Gourd is a medium-sized hosta that grows up to 18 inches tall and 24 inches wide. It has large, blue-green leaves that are deeply cupped, making it look like a giant water receptacle.

The History of Abiqua Drinking Gourd

The Abiqua Drinking Gourd was first discovered in the late 1980s by a hosta collector named Alex Summers. Summers was exploring the forests near his home in Oregon when he stumbled upon a small patch of hostas with unique cupped leaves. Intrigued by these plants, Summers began breeding them to create a new cultivar.

Over time, Summers perfected his breeding techniques and created the Abiqua Drinking Gourd. He named the plant after a nearby creek, which had been named after a Native American word for "drinking gourd."

How to Grow Abiqua Drinking Gourd

If you're interested in growing Abiqua Drinking Gourd, you'll need to follow a few simple steps. First, this plant prefers partial shade to full shade, so make sure to plant it in a spot that gets plenty of shade throughout the day.

Second, Abiqua Drinking Gourd requires well-draining soil. If your soil is heavy or clay-like, consider adding some compost or sand to improve drainage.

Finally, make sure to water your Abiqua Drinking Gourd regularly. This plant likes moist soil, but be careful not to overwater it as this can lead to root rot.

Abiqua Drinking Gourd in the Landscape

Abiqua Drinking Gourd is a great plant to add to your landscape if you're looking for something unique and eye-catching. Its large, cupped leaves create a dramatic effect when planted in groups or alongside other hostas.

This plant also works well in containers, making it a great choice for small gardens or balconies. Simply plant it in a large container with well-draining soil and keep it in a shady spot.

Tips for Maintaining Abiqua Drinking Gourd

To keep your Abiqua Drinking Gourd healthy and looking its best, there are a few things you can do. First, make sure to fertilize it regularly. This will help the plant grow strong and healthy and produce more leaves.

Second, watch out for pests like slugs and snails, which can damage the leaves of your Abiqua Drinking Gourd. Consider using a natural pest control method like diatomaceous earth or copper tape to keep these pests at bay.

Finally, make sure to divide your Abiqua Drinking Gourd every few years to prevent overcrowding. This will help ensure that your plant continues to thrive and produce new leaves year after year.

Abiqua Drinking Gourd Varieties

There are a few different varieties of Abiqua Drinking Gourd available, each with its own unique characteristics. Some popular varieties include:

- Abiqua Drinking Gourd Gold: This variety has yellow-green leaves instead of blue-green.
- Abiqua Drinking Gourd Elatior: This variety is larger than the standard Abiqua Drinking Gourd, growing up to 24 inches tall and 36 inches wide.
- Abiqua Drinking Gourd Variegated: This variety has cream-colored variegation on its leaves.

Abiqua Drinking Gourd vs Other Hostas

If you're wondering how Abiqua Drinking Gourd compares to other hostas, here are a few things to keep in mind. First, this plant is known for its unique cupped leaves, which set it apart from other hostas. Second, Abiqua Drinking Gourd prefers shade, whereas some other hostas can tolerate more sun. Finally, this plant is relatively easy to care for and requires little maintenance compared to other plants.

Abiqua Drinking Gourd in Japanese Gardens

Abiqua Drinking Gourd is a popular choice for Japanese gardens because of its unique shape and size. The cupped leaves of this plant create a sense of stillness and calm, making it the perfect addition to a Zen garden or meditation space.

If you're looking to add Abiqua Drinking Gourd to your Japanese garden, consider pairing it with other shade-loving plants like ferns, mosses, and Japanese maples.

Abiqua Drinking Gourd in Container Gardens

As mentioned earlier, Abiqua Drinking Gourd works well in container gardens because of its compact size and low-maintenance needs. To create a stunning container garden with this plant, simply plant it in a large container with well-draining soil and add a few complementary plants like ferns, heucheras, or coral bells.

Abiqua Drinking Gourd as a Focal Point

Because of its unique shape and striking appearance, Abiqua Drinking Gourd makes a great focal point in any garden. To make this plant the star of your garden, consider planting it in a prominent spot and surrounding it with smaller plants or flowers that complement its color and texture.

Abiqua Drinking Gourd in Autumn

In the fall, the leaves of Abiqua Drinking Gourd turn a beautiful golden yellow color. This makes it a great plant to add to your autumn garden, where it can provide a pop of color alongside other fall-blooming plants like mums and asters.

Abiqua Drinking Gourd as a Ground Cover

If you're looking for a low-maintenance ground cover that will add texture and interest to your garden, consider using Abiqua Drinking Gourd. This plant spreads slowly over time and creates a dense mat of cupped leaves that look great when planted en masse.

Abiqua Drinking Gourd in Winter

Although Abiqua Drinking Gourd dies back in the winter, it still adds interest to your garden during the colder months. The dead leaves of this plant create a natural mulch that helps protect the soil and keep it moist throughout the winter.

Abiqua Drinking Gourd and Companion Plants

Abiqua Drinking Gourd works well when planted alongside other shade-loving plants like ferns, heucheras, and astilbes. Consider creating a mixed border with these plants to add interest and texture to your garden.

Abiqua Drinking Gourd in Traditional Gardens

If you have a traditional garden with lots of flowers and shrubs, Abiqua Drinking Gourd can still fit in nicely. This plant's unique shape and size make it stand out among more traditional plants, adding interest and texture to your garden.

Abiqua Drinking Gourd in Modern Gardens

If you have a modern garden with clean lines and minimalist design, Abiqua Drinking Gourd can still work well. Its simple, yet striking shape adds interest to any modern garden, making it the perfect addition to contemporary landscapes.

Abiqua Drinking Gourd in Feng Shui

In Feng Shui, plants are often used to create balance and harmony in the home. Abiqua Drinking Gourd is a great plant to use in this regard because of its cupped leaves, which symbolize abundance and wealth.



Abiqua Drinking Gourd is a unique and interesting plant that is easy to grow and care for. Whether you're a gardening enthusiast or just looking for something new to add to your landscape, this plant is sure to impress. With its cupped leaves and striking appearance, Abiqua Drinking Gourd is truly one of a kind.

FAQs

Q: How often should I water Abiqua Drinking Gourd?

A: Abiqua Drinking Gourd likes moist soil, so make sure to water it regularly. However, be careful not to overwater it as this can lead to root rot.

Q: What pests should I watch out for when growing Abiqua Drinking Gourd?

A: Slugs and snails are two common pests that can damage the leaves of Abiqua Drinking Gourd. Consider using a natural pest control method like diatomaceous earth or copper tape to keep these pests at bay.

Q: Can I grow Abiqua Drinking Gourd in full sun?

A: No, Abiqua Drinking Gourd prefers partial shade to full shade. Plant it in a spot that gets plenty of shade throughout the day.

Q: How do I fertilize Abiqua Drinking Gourd?

A: Use a balanced fertilizer like 10-10-10 and apply it according to the instructions on the package.

Q: How often should I divide my Abiqua Drinking Gourd?

A: Divide your Abiqua Drinking Gourd every few years to prevent overcrowding and ensure that it continues to produce new leaves year after year.