Tuesday, October 23, 2018

An Agave Report, October 2018 — Part II

Yesterday we looked at the in-ground Agaves in the front garden and a few plants in the driveway planters, today we check out the plants in the back garden...

The blue pup is Agave weberi, a little hidden behind it is a pup of A. americana Variegata, the other Agave-like shapes are Aloe saponaria.

Proving this ain't no wimpy Agave, A. bracteosa...being over taken by Grevillea juniperina ‘Molonglo’ and Calluna vulgaris (Wickwar Flame Heather) and just keepin on with it.

Another A. bracteosa with a (since lifted — winter) little Aloe (for company).

Once upon a time I could tell you what all of these were...

But a lot of time's gone by and I'm confused.

Agave gentryi in the center, with an Agave stricta v. rubra just below.

Another rescue (possibly A. neomexicana) that's been doing well for years.

Yep, another A. bracteosa...cause they're so damn good!

So many spikes! I think the powder blue guy is another A. neomexicana.

And yes, even more spikes.

This A. bracteosa is one of my superstars.

A small pair of A. 'Mateo' (a variegated bracteosa).

Another A. neomexicana.

And another Agave gentryi.

That little A. bracteosa is in a horrible place and was just tiny when I planted it. It's doing okay though.

A larger A. 'Mateo', the pointy guy at the bottom is A. parryi var. couesii, moving up an A. 'JC Raulston' pup, another couesii and another Agave neomexicana, this one's labeling I'm 100% sure of, the earlier neomexicanas were rescues and their labels were less than confidence inspiring.

The big thin-leaved guy is A. striata (Espadina form, from Cistus), the silver circle is actually a hanging planter about to return to the driveway area, on the far left another (!) A. bracteosa.

Ah, we're just about done with the Agaves! Yes the big A. ovatifolia stays right here for the winter, but it is covered through most of the rain (details)...

The little guys stay put too, but no covering, their containers are completely open on the bottom...the rings are just to add a little height.

Left to right A. parryi, A macroacantha (I lied, this one's not hardy, I'll have to pull it), A. parryi var. couesii, A. parryi and A. bracteosa. Yep, I REALLY love my Agaves...

This containerized A. 'Sharkskin' stays put too, and is covered.

Being ever the documentarian I also snapped a few photos of things that may, or may not, make it through the winter, depending. Let's have a look...

On the left there, Dyckia 'Pale Ryder'...

Aloe striatula

And there are lots...

And lots...

And lots...

Of Echium wildpretii...

If they make it through winter then things are going to be amazing around here come spring.

Lots...

And lots...

Of tall bloom spikes.

My fingers are crossed.

There are also several Aloe aristata, two pictured here, but of course they're camouflaged by the Juniper.

There's one...

And the other...

In another section of the garden there are two more, but I only managed to photograph one.

Yucca harrimaniae x nana 

And I wrap things up with Mangave 'Inkblot' — these spent last winter here, I might pull them if the forecast goes south, we'll see! Thanks for sticking with this rather long series...

Weather Diary, Oct 22: Hi 69, Low 43/ Precip 0

All material © 2009-2018 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

12 comments:

  1. Ovatifolia may be ("may"?) the most beautiful Agave of them all, though parryi truncata is close. Best wishes for a mild, slightly drier than usual winter!

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    1. What about 'Joe Hoak'? Or 'Blue Glow'?...Or...so many fabulous choices!

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  2. So many gorgeous agaves! Hope the weather forecasters are right about a warmer, drier winter. If all of those echium make it through, your garden will resemble New York even more with all those Chrysler Buildingesque sky scrapers.

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  3. great collection all so well planted. Love the mangave inkblot have you found them to have some cold tolerance? And the sharkskin is stunning.

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    1. Winter knocked them back last year...but they quickly recovered.

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  4. I was comforted to read that even you can't always identify every specimen on sight. With the exception of the "biggies," I often have to consult my spreadsheet to identify mine. I'll cross my fingers you have a mild winter. It'd be wonderful to see all those Echiums in bloom.

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    1. I wish I'd kept track. Of course when they're gifts or rescues that don't come labeled that compounds the problem.

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  5. Every time you go through your agave collection I have to comment about A. 'Sharkskin'. OMG, it's stunning. In the same picture, bottom left, there are the tips of yet another favorite, could it be A. regina victoria?

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    1. Good eye! Yes, that's Agave victoriae-reginae.

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  6. Yes - the A. 'Sharkskin' stood out for me because of how very happy it looks compared to mine! Also love the Mangaves - I need to find some more.

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  7. This year's agave report is even more meaningful since I just saw them all in person. It's great being able to go back to previous years and see the progress. I'm way overdue for my own agave report.

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