Agave 'Blue Glow'

We don't live in what could be called "Agave Country". We live between a temperate rain forest and a high desert and, though some Agaves will do well outside - even here - most Agave plants are best grown in pots. That said, we've always loved them, and this cultivar is a beaut! A cross of A. ocahui and A. attenuata, Agave 'Blue Glow' is one very striking plant. A much smaller (2-3 feet across), solitary, stiff leaved plant than the similarly named Agave 'Blue Flame'.

Variations on Agave americana

Variegated Agaves have been around for a long time. They're not the new kid on the block. But they're still very impressive - and the variations are amazing. Whether these are varieties or cultivars or whatever, it doesn't make too much difference to me. I just like them. This first one was labeled "var. striata" when we first got it's parent - at least 30 years ago.

And the next one is generally called "marginata". We have a large one we're going to plant out this summer and see if it survives our winter next year.

And finally, there's "medio-picta". Note I didn't say "medio-picta alba". We have that, but this isn't it. (We have, however, seen it being sold in a few places as "alba" when there wasn't anything "alba" about it!)

And there are more. These are only small plants of course. A. americana can get pretty big when given free root roam. Unfortunately they're only marginally hardy here, and the variegated forms tend to take even less cold (and wet). However, I've known of some really big ones which survived for many years here in Western Oregon. We shall see...

Agave attenuata variegate

Tonight I'll share with you an old Agave attenuata variegate that we've had for many years and which is growing out of house and home. We'll probably be offering it for sale soon but it won't be inexpensive. We like it too much. However, we need the space in our greenhouses, so...

Agave filifera ssp. schidigera 'Shira ito no Ohi'

While moving plants around in the greenhouse, trying to make more room, I was reminded of this nice Agave: Agave filifera ssp. schidigera 'Shira ito no Ohi'.  The origin of this cultivar is not known, though it's been around for quite a while under the name Agave filifera 'Compacta Marginata'. The name was added by Plants Delight nursery and means "Queen of the White Thread".

We've always liked Agaves, but in recent years have been impressed by some of the new cultivars. In addition, we've become aware that many are quite hardy and can survive even our wet, cold winters, given enough soil drainage. Unfortunately this may not be one of them, though it appears to be hardy to 15 degrees F. But it stays small enough to make a great potted subject.

Agave attenuata

Sometimes a close-up look can reveal beauty often overlooked. Take this image of an Agave attenuata which I have labeled abstract in green.

Caught the Agave Bug Yet?

Carl Schoenfeld of Yucca Do Nursery has an excellent article in the latest issue of the online edition of Horticulture Magazine.

The hottest trend in container gardening has its roots in a group of plants that for over 7,000 years delineated the agricultural and cultural progression of Mexico. Throughout its history, the genus Agave supplied food, drink, and materials for building and weaving, and held religious significance. Metl was its name to the Aztecs in the valley of Mexico. It was mescal to the other Mesoamericans. The Spanish conquistadors called it maquey; Europeans called it American aloe. Finally, the Americans dubbed it century plant. It is only now that the ornamental attributes of these remarkable plants are getting the attention they deserve.

Hey, we've had the Agave bug for years. They've been grown on back benches, in nooks and crannies of our home and in various sections of our yard for a long time. They just didn't sell very well for us. But now it seems everyone wants an Agave to plant out here in Portland! And several are able to grow here and in other regions thought by most to be very un-Agave type country.