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...

Rebutia minuscula crest

Every year at about this time of the year, this old grafted crest is among the first to bloom (originally from the late László Nyerges at Desert Nursery in Deming, NM). It's a wonderful and dependable Rebutia minuscula crest. The normal plant also goes by the common name of "Red Crown" cactus and is from northern Argentina. This was one of the first cacti we grew some 40 years ago.

As an aside, we very much miss our annual visits and conversations with Laszlo when we would drop by his nursery on Copper Street in Deming. It was always worth the visit.

Oroya peruviana

Spring in the greenhouses continues to blossom. In sharp contrast to yesterday's more delicate image is this sharply impressive Oroya peruviana (syn.: Oroya neoperuviana). Native to central Peru at elevations of 3000-4200 meters (ca. 9,800-14,000 ft.).

Enjoy your plants!

Mammillaria aureilanata

Returning to a classic tonight: Mammillaria aureilanata. I look forward to it's flowers every year, but even without the flowers the plant is fantastic all in its own!

Echinocereus longisetus ssp. delaetii

Known to most of us as simply E. delaetii, this is certainly a distinctive looking "hedgehog" cactus. The long, curly central spines are outstanding.

Caralluma acutangula

If you do a Google search on "Caralluma" you get a who bunch of links to powdered Caralluma for dieting. Well...they aren't going to get our plants!  These plants are just too nice to grind up and pulverize. And the pictures tend to ignore the plant for the flowers. The flowers are fantastic, of course...but to me, the plant is enough. In the right light they almost glow. This is Caralluma acutangula.

Sinningia leucotricha

Not much to look at yet, but signs of growth as the bulbs come out of their dormancy.

The next one's a little farther along and you can see the flower buds developing.

And this is what we have to look forward to (photo from last year):

Ah, yes, Spring has sprung!

Echeveria 'A Grimm One'

The cultivar name on this one refers to the person's name - Grimm - and not to be being particularly "grim". In fact it's bright and pleasant cultivar which is currently showing off it's flowers.