My agaves that made it through Portland's ugly winter

What a winter it was for agave lovers gardening in Portland. Over the past few months I've written so much about the agaves that didn't make it, some of you were probably wondering if I had any agaves left in my garden. Yes. The answer is definitely yes—and I've added even more over the last few weeks, but that's a post for another day. Today we look at my agaves that made it through last winter, photos taken on June 14th.

We start at the front of the house, next to the driveway. This NOID (from a Cistus tough love sale), along with the small Agave parryi, got absolutely no protection.

The bloom belongs to an Aloe (Aristaloe) aristata. These two agaves got a layer of frost cloth and a piece of reflective "bubble foil" insulation laid over them during the December storm, nothing for the February event.

Agave 'Streaker' (a gift plant from Sean Hogan/Cistus Nursery)

Agave 'Baccarat'

To the left of the front steps. The in ground agaves here were protected during the December storm, but nothing thereafter.

Agave 'Baccarat' (center) and Agave americana var. protoamericana (on the right), on the left Agave parryi 'Notorious RBG' (ignore the agave in the container as it was pulled undercover for the winter).

Agave parryi 'Notorious RBG' (my name for a NOID purchased at the Ruth Bancroft garden) close-up.

Agave parryi from Bryon Jones (Pt Defiance Zoo & Aquarium).

This Agave montana was protected during the first round of winter extremes (December) but not the second in February. 

I guess I should come up with a code to use from here on out. P1 is December protection, PA is all winter, as there are a few things out back that spent the whole winter covered. NP means there was never any winter protection.

Agave 'Mateo' (P1)

Here's my pair of Agave ovatifolia 'Frosty Blue'. These both went in the ground in the spring of 2013 and were just small gallon-sized plants back then (P1).

The one in the foreground, closest to the front steps has been struggling all winter. Thankfully the warm dry May and early June has really helped it. 

The worst spot now...

And back on May 22nd... 

If this summer is hot and I remember to give it plenty of water it should put on a lot of new growth and maybe push through the wounds? Time will tell.

Here's the second one, which was always kind of the less glamorous of the twins. Not anymore...

Looking south along the front of our house, this is the first time Alberta (Yucca rostrata in the foreground) and Holman (Yr in the background) have appeared together here on the blog.

Huh, I guess I couldn't decide which photo to upload.

Okay, moving on. I'm still stunned this small variegated Agave parryi made it through the winter, P1.

Another Agave ovatifolia (P1)

I've always thought this blue agave to the left of the Yucca rostrata was an Agave 'Silver Surfer', but I'm beginning to wonder if it isn't an Agave parryi? (P1)

Agave bracteosa (NP)

Agave parryi 'JC Raulston' (P1)

Three more Agave parryi 'JC Raulston' (P1), and on the far right is...

An abused Agave ovatifolia (NP), but it's alive!

The last photo from the front garden, Agave parryi 'JC Raulston' (P1) with an Agave ovatifolia (NP) in the background.

This Agave americana is in the driveway is (P1). It needs to be planted out or root pruned, the poor thing has been in this container for too long.

The variegated Agave americana on the far left has since been planted in the ground—a summer fling—but of course it didn't spend winter in this location, the rest did though (PA). Close-ups follow from left to right.

Agave bracteosa (PA)

Agave neomexicana (maybe ?), on the left (PA) and Agave montana on the right (PA)

Agave bracteosa (PA)

There was a long plastic-covered tunnel over this entire in-ground planting all winter, so they're PA.

Looking at those plants close up, there are a couple of small agaves I no longer can ID, and then an Agave bracteosa and an Agave 'Mateo'.

The Agave 'Mateo' with a small A. montana in front of it—as well as a blooming Aloe striatula (aka Aloiampelos striatula).

This agave came from a rescue operation (here), I think it's an Agave salmiana.

Another perspective on the area...

Just a couple more now, another Agave bracteosa (PA)...

And this containerized Agave ovatifolia 'Frosty Blue' (PA). What's that? You don't see a container?

There it is. I'm guessing the roots have grown down through the drainage hole.

That's a wrap! While it was an extremely ugly winter for my garden, and agaves in particular, I feel great about what did survive and they're now enjoying another beautiful PNW summer!

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