Wednesday, September 3, 2025

Dammit! Okay, now what should I plant there?

This is not a happy post.

Back in July I shared a couple shots of this Agave ovatifolia as it was looking pretty rough. I was holding out hope that it would somehow make a turn for the better, after all the center was still solid.

Not anymore. Dammit!

That's it there in the corner of the front garden. It's prime location, where something special should be.

Here's a photo in better light, from the 20th Anniversary Then and Now post


So against logic I want to plant another agave out there, I mean the one that's dying was happy for eight years. I have a few in waiting. On the left is an Agave ovatifolia (not 'Frosty Blue') and on the far right Agave 'Sharkskin'. I know a few other folks that have had long term success with 'Sharkskin' in the ground here in Portland, so it *could* work.

This poor guy would love to get in the ground.

Because I got nervous when so many other Agave ovatifolia 'Frosty Blue' around town started blooming, I've been growing on these two for when my big guys against the house in the front garden start to go (since they were tissue cultured many are about the same age).

They're pretty sweet (again, bad light... I took most of these photos with my phone late in the evening).

So another shot, to get you thinking. This one from last September, when all was well. What would YOU plant out there at the corner? Cause as soon as we have a coolish day it's time to say good by to the sad agave. Oh and a caveat, it's too late in the summer to plant out an agave. If I decide to go that route I won't be able to plant it until next spring. So maybe a temporary plant to fill the space until then?

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4 comments:

  1. Do any of your potted agaves you featured above require winter protection? How about you move one - or a group of pots - to the sad agave is spot and see how they look. Postpone a the decision on permanent plant till next spring.
    Chavli

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like the way you think, but sadly I fear theft would be an issue.

      Delete
  2. So sorry to see this. Personally, I would plant another ovatifolia. It looks so good there.

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  3. Agave ovatifolia is such a stunner I'd be hard-pressed to pop in something other than another one in that spot, were the decision mine. I take it that the dying plant is the victim of winter weather conditions rather than an agave snout weevil? Whatever your decision, I'm glad to see you have some standing by. The whale's tongue agaves are surprisingly hard to find in local nurseries/garden centers here. I'd wait until the time is right to plant, though, and go with a temporary filler in the meantime.

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