Abiqua Drinking Gourd named hosta of the year

The American Hosta Growers Association picked the cultivar as the 19th annual hosta of the year.

The hosta cultivar “Abiqua Drinking Gourd” has been named the 2014 Hosta of the Year by the American Hosta Growers Association. This cultivar’s huge, heavily-textured, blue-green leaves cup and twist into a unique display. It boasts white flowers in early summer and good slug resistance. It reaches 18" in height, 22" when flowering.

Hosta are versatile East Asian natives with lush foliage in diverse colors, heights, and textures. They have an ability to excel in deep shade. It’s a good selection for the coldest areas (zones 3 and 4) and for Gulf states (zones 8, 9, and 10).

The AHGA's members have voted to select a hosta of the year since 1996. Award winners are hostas that are good garden plants in all regions of the country, are widely available and in sufficient supply and retail for about $15 in the year of selection.