Friday, August 22, 2014

Agave weberi, my favorite plant in the garden this week…

When I mentioned that Mr. Big, my Agave Americana ‘variegata’ was in danger of being unseated as the largest agave in my garden Renee asked who his competition was. At the time, and pretty much always, I completely forgot about the Agave weberi...

Why? I don't know, I guess because I see it everyday just outside the back door I don't really "see" it anymore. When I uncovered it from the mass of cucumber vine a few weeks ago I was surprised just how good it was looking. It was a gift from my friend JJ, someone had given her a trio, she kept a pair and passed one on to me, hmmm guess that was 2 years ago now.

Here's Lila for scale...

But wait, she wants to be sure you appreciate both ends.

Okay, she's outta here, enough of that silliness.

The stats on Agave weberi...
  • 4-5 ft tall, 6-8 ft wide (in the ground)
  • full sun, low water needs
  • winter hardiness 10-15F
  • according to Mountain States Wholesale Nursery: "this agave is often seen in the southwestern Unites States and parts of Mexico, but only in cultivation, as there do not appear to be any wild specimens left.
What's looking good in your garden this week?

All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

37 comments:

  1. Oh Lila, every time! Too cute. And that is a handsome agave. Nice leaf imprints! I have them on the brain this week too by pure coincidence but my fave is something else: http://crmbsgrdn.blogspot.com.au/2014/08/my-favourite-plant-in-garden-this-week_22.html

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    1. Nothing wrong with agaves on the brain...

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  2. That's a great Agave. Sometimes I don't look at the plants that are slow to change but they are still gems and need appreciation from time to time. (Cute Puglet too)

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    1. Indeed, a good reminder to enjoy all your plants!

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  3. Garden clean-ups are great for helping one see through fresh eyes. Lila did a great Vanna White interpretation too! My favorite this week is also a succulent, although it has flowers (lots of them): http://krispgarden.blogspot.com/2014/08/my-favorite-plant-of-week-senecio.html

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    1. Lila is pretty convinced any time the camera is in my hand I must want her in the picture.

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  4. I've been wanting the variegated version of Agave weberi, called 'Arizona Star', but wasn't sure how manageable it would stay in a container. It sure is a nice species...

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    1. My jury is still out on 'Arizona Star' - perhaps I just haven't seen it grown well.

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  5. So does this one stay outside in winter? It's pretty impressive, and hard to imagine trundling down the stairs into your basement winter quarters!

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    1. That was the intent (outside all the time), however when I was moving things prior to our cold snap last winter (the one that bottomed out at 12F but was predicted to go as low as 6F) Andrew wrestled it onto the hand-truck and into the garage. Since it's not heated I'm not sure how much protection that provided but I appreciated his willingness to do it.

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  6. Hahaha! Lila makes a great model!!

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  7. Nothing in my garden looks as good as Lila.

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    1. I'm sure Boris and Natasha would be stunned at that comment.

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  8. I like the looks of Agave but they would not do well in my New England garden. Instead my favorite plant this week is a native, Pycnathium muticum, Mountain Mint. http://gardenontheedge.blogspot.com/

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    1. Maybe in a container? Although of course a smaller version, so it would be easier for you to move.

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  9. Lila! Good dog...blueberry for Lila. That's a gorgeous Agave, Loree. You make me want more more more of this fab species.

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    1. Yay! You probably need a few more agaves Tamara (and Lila thanks you for the blueberry).

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  10. That's a beauty Loree! We used to have a large one that we lost in winter 2010. Now all we have left are variegated ones (Arizona Star). Maybe we should have a plain one again...

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    1. Ah so you guys are 'Arizona Star' fans too...

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  11. A great agave. I have wide leaf version which I am hoping will be even more stately, given how good the normal form is.

    As others have said Lila is great. Someone needs to plan an official garden bloggers pets week, when we all post pictures of our pets.

    And finally an aloe for my favourite plant this week, aloe purple flush. http://spikyobsession.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/aloe-purple-flush-is-my-favourite-plant.html

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  12. Lila's coloring even echoes the color scheme here and everything looks showroom-perfect. I am uber-jealous and you will see why when you read my post: http://bannersbyricki.com/archives/3974

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    1. You must have missed the big ugly brown spot front and center in the last photo? Certainly not showroom quality.

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  13. So handsome, it makes me sad that I killed mine. (It was the winter that did it!) It was a good experiment and now I know. Lila couldn't be more adorable! What a photogenic kiddo!

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    1. Indeed, it was evil winter! I am surprised mine made it.

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  14. Yep, that's a beauty! And Lila, too!

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  15. You have some very interesting and beautiful plants of different leaf shape and shades of green in your garden, I love the use of black and metal pots and containers. Is that a small bamboo in the metal pot in images #1 and #4, just in front of the metal tub-shaped pot to the left of the agave? Lila is such a cute and lovely addition to your garden.
    xoxoxo ♡

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    1. Yes it is (bamboo), a gift from another blogger, Alan at It's Not Work It's Gardening.

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    2. Thank you Loree, it is very attractive! :)
      xoxoxo ♡

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  16. That is a stunner within your collection - I hear they froze out in 2011 here, not seeing any left. Are you going to put your A. weberi in the ground?

    Here - my A. americana medio-picta in a small clay pot is looking excellent, even grown some...must get my patio container plants going. So little time...

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    1. I've considered putting it in the ground, what a statement it would make in the front garden! Then again I fear that would mean certain death. The container is full of nicely draining soil not the native clay found elsewhere.

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  17. Wow, that is a large one! Very sad that there are no know specimens left in their natural habitat, but all the more cool that you are keeping the species going :)

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    1. Has your "no agave" problem been solved yet Jenni?

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  18. Lila, such a wise looking little soul...

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