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Agave (Century Plant)
We are fascinated by these architectural but anti-social southwest native plants. Some species thrive despite our hot, humid summers and cold, wet winters. In the summer months, agaves respond amazingly to water and fertilizer, but in the winter, good drainage and planting on any degree of slope is essential to winter survival. In cold zones, we recommend you establish (plant) the agaves early in the growing season (by midsummer at the latest) for best results. In containers, agaves are not only very forgiving if a watering is missed, but they provide a great structural form. We are pleased to offer an increasing number of rare variegated selections that before now have been confined to the high-dollar collectors' market.
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Agave ocahui var. ocahui (Hardy Century Plant)
Sun Zone: 7b-10, at least 18" tall Origin: Mexico
Open House/Web-Only!
This medium-sized century plant has fared very well in our trials, forming an 18" tall x 3' wide solitary rosette of dark green leaves, edged with smooth reddish-brown margins. When the clumps mature, they are topped with a 9' tall narrow spike of bright yellow flowers. Hailing from the northern Mexico state of Sonora, A. ocahui can be found on volcanic limestone up to 4,500' elevation. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07928
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Agave ovatifolia (Whale's Tongue Hardy Century Plant)
SunZone: 7-9, at least 36" tall Origin: Mexico
This fabulous agave was first brought into the US by the late Lynn Lowery, who found it growing between 3,000' and 7,000' elevation in Nuevo Leon, Mexico. It was planted around Dallas and survived for decades unscathed by cold. Agave expert Greg Starr, curious to know its identity, retraced Lynn's route and found the original population in Mexico, where it was determined to be a new species and subsequently named in 2002. In form, it looks like an Agave parryi on steroids, forming a 36" tall x 5' wide (in 5 years), symmetrical clump of wide grey leaves. It has proven to be one of the best agaves for cold, wet climates, far outperforming almost all other species. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06306
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Agave parryi 'Cream Spike' (Cream Spike Hardy Century Plant)
SunZone: 9-10 4" tall Origin: Mexico
We originally got this plant from Randy Baldwin of San Marcos Growers under the invalid name of Agave parryi 'Minima Variegata'. Not only was the cultivar name invalid, but some agave experts think it might not even be A. parryi. We're leaving the parryi species name intact, since it resembles the other A. parryi forms we grow. This stunning specimen makes a compact 1' wide clump of blue leaves, each surrounded by a wide creamy border. Even where it's not hardy, A. 'Cream Spike' makes a stunning container specimen. This is not the same plant as A. parryi patonii 'Minor Variegata' or A. parryi 'Mexico Variegata'. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07241
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Agave parryi 'J.C. Raulston' (Hardy Century Plant)
SunZone: 7-9, possibly colder 24" tall Origin: USA
We've grown Agave parryi from all along its native range, but the best clone is still the one growing at the JC Raulston Arboretum in NC. We tracked this clone back to a plant that came from J.C.'s 1979 trip to California's Strybing Arboretum. Strybing obtained their plant from California professor Jack Napton in 1971. This special clone forms large symmetrical 2' tall x 3' wide rosettes that seem particularly well-adapted to winters in wet, humid climates. It is slow to offset compared with many forms, which makes propagation more of a challenge. This clone needed a name and we could not think of anything better than to name it after the late Dr. J.C. Raulston. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08152
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Agave parryi ssp. huachucensis (Hardy Century Plant)
SunZone: 6-9a 24" tall Origin: USA, Mexico
Open House/Web-Only!
Native to oak woodlands from Arizona to northern Mexico from 5,000' to 7,000', this is the largest in the hardy Agave parryi group. The very wide, steely blue-grey foliage makes a striking rosette (in more ways than one) to 2' wide. In about 8 years, the clumps are topped with giant Jack-in-the-beanstalk-like flower spikes to 12' tall! The leaves of this form are flatter and wider, but not as thick as A. parryi ssp. parryi. As with all agaves, winter drainage is absolutely critical for survival in cold climates. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #00016
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Agave parryi ssp. huachucensis 'Excelsior' (Excelsior Hardy Century Plant)
SunZone: 7-9, possibly colder 6" tall Origin: USA, Mexico
NEW!
(aka: 'Kitsuyoteh Hakafu', 'Mediopicta Alba') Agave parryi ssp. huachucensis 'Excelsior' started its life as a seedling from California's Excelsior Gardens around 1967 and was first commercialized in the 1980s by Nature's Curiosity Shop. For us, the 6" tall x 1' wide tight rosette is highlighted by a 1.25" wide chartreuse central stripe. We are unsure of its final size, but expect it may double its current size. It grows extremely slow when young, but faster as it ages and begins to offset. We are uncertain of its hardiness, but it could be much hardier than our tentative Zone 7 rating if kept very dry in winter...a splendid addition to our line of winter hardy agaves. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07868
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Agave parryi ssp. truncata (Hardy Century Plant)
SunZone: 6-9a, at least 18" tall Origin: Mexico
Agave parryi ssp. truncata, considered one of the most beautiful of all the agaves, has a very limited distribution, found only in Durango, Mexico, where it can best be described as short, fat, blue, and producing lots of offspring. Come to think of it, that also describes most of the guys at the local saloon on Saturday night. Each 18" tall x 18" wide robust clump is topped at maturity with a phallic flower bud that enlarges into a 3" diameter, 20' tall flower spike, which could easily be used for a flagpole...we like horticultural multi-tasking. Remember to keep it well-drained and dry in the winter months. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05247
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Agave salmiana 'Butterfingers' (Butterfingers Hardy Century Plant)
SunZone: 8-10, guessing 36" tall Origin: Mexico
NEW!
We first got this stunning selection of Agave salmiana from Marsha McPhetters's California garden, where it made a 3' tall x 4' wide clump. The upright growing rosette of concave glossy dark green leaves is dramatically highlighted by a creamy yellow margin. We have grown at least two other margined forms of A. salmiana. While some A. salmiana cultivars are winter hardy to 5 degrees F, we are just now trialing this selection outdoors. Thanks to Brian Kemble of the Ruth Bancroft Garden for assisting with naming this agave. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07295
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Agave salmiana var. ferox 'Green Goblet' (Green Goblet Hardy Century Plant)
SunZone: 7b-9, at least 48" tall Origin: Mexico
Open House/Web-Only!
This Yucca Do selection T43-29 comes from Mexico near the Sierra Chiquita Mountains. All of the A. salmiana var. ferox in this population were blue except this clone, which displayed dark green leaves with a blue dusting at the leaf base. This 4' tall x 8' wide clump has performed extremely well in our climate to the single digits...good winter drainage is important. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05716
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Agave salmiana var. ferox 'Logan Calhoun' (Logan Calhoun Hardy Century Plant)
SunZone: 7-10 60" tall Origin: Mexico
Open House/Web-Only!
This outstanding selection of A. salmiana var. ferox was given to us by the late Texas plant explorer Logan Calhoun just before his death. This giant agave forms a 5' tall x 10' wide specimen of shiny, thick green leaves. Each leaf is lined from tip-to-tip with huge, carefully placed spines...to induce maximum pain. This is a freely offsetting variety that you can share with all your friends...those of your friends that you like enough to risk your life for by removing the offsetting pups. The legendary flower stalks put Jack's proverbial beanstalk to shame...20-25' tall and as thick as the neck of an NFL lineman. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04990
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Agave scabra ssp. potosiensis (Rough-leaf Century Plant)
SunZone: 7b-10, guessing 36" tall Origin: Mexico
Open House/Web-Only!
(syn: A. asperrima ssp. potosiensis) This form of Agave scabra comes from the central Mexico State of San Luis Potosi. As compared to the other forms of A. scabra, these have more silvery-white foliage and broader leaves which recurve toward the tips. The 3' tall x 6' wide clumps make stunning specimen plants which sucker moderately well. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07597
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Agave scabra ssp. scabra (Rough-leaf Century Plant)
SunZone: 7b-10, guessing 24" tall Origin: Mexico
Open House/Web-Only!
(syn: Agave asperrima ssp. asperrima) This form of Agave scabra is the predominant form found in northern Mexico. The clumps rarely top 2' tall and the rigidly upright foliage can range from green to glaucous grey. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07720
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Agave schidigera 'Shira ito no Ohi' (Queen of White Thread Century Plant)
SunZone: 8-10 12" tall Origin: Mexico
(aka: A. filifera 'Compacta Marginata') This amazingly slow-growing century plant has been circulated in the collectors' market for several years, but we are finally able to offer it in our catalog. The 1' tall x 18" wide rosette is composed of dark green leaves, each highlighted by a dramatic creamy-white border and curly white hairs. This solitary (non-offsetting) plant makes a lovely specimen for Zone 8 and south, and a dramatic container specimen in parts north. If anyone knows where this clone originated (probably Japan), we'd love to know. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07921
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Agave 'Sharkskin Shoes' (Sharkskin Shoes Hardy Century Plant)
SunZone: 7b-10, at least 36" tall Origin: Mexico
We've long had a love affair with this elegant naturally-occurring Mexican hybrid (A. ferdinand-regis x A. scabra). This selection comes to us from the wonderful Ruth Bancroft Garden in California. The rigidly upright, triangular, olive-green leaves with a blue cast are thicker than an offensive lineman's neck and have the feel of sharkskin. A. 'Sharkskin Shoes' forms a stunningly architectural clump, eventually to 3' tall x 4' wide. Agave 'Sharkskin Shoes' is easy-to-grow but very slow to reach mature size, as evidenced by our 6-year-old plants which are only 18" tall x 2' wide. In 2007, we listed this as A. 'Sharkskin' which we now know is a similar but different clone; hence, the name change. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07471
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Agave 'Silver Surfer' (Silver Surfer Century Plant)
SunZone: 7b-9 60" tall Origin: Mexico
From a 1992 Yucca Do seed collecting expedition (YD 45-83) at 5,200' in Palmillo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, where Agave americana ssp. protoamericana intergrades with Agave scabra, we selected out this particularly nice clone. A. 'Silver Surfer' has since formed a 5' tall x 9' wide clump of stiff, outfacing, silvery-blue leaves. This slow-offsetting agave is a favorite of garden visitors, so we are thrilled to finally be able to list it in our catalog...get them while they last. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05135
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Agave striata (Narrow Leaf Century Plant)
SunZone: 7b-10 18" tall Origin: USA
Open House/Web-Only!
This easy-to-grow century plant looks quite different from the wider leaf types, with its narrow, rounded, grey-green, knitting needle-like leaves that are quite stiff and delightfully painful...ask your friend to weed around this one for some real laughs! The initial rosettes are 18" tall x 3' wide, but after the 8' tall flower stalks finish in mid-summer, the rosette branches and continues to grow, eventually creating a stack of porcupine-like balls. Hailing from the Sierra Madre Orientale mountain range in northeast Mexico, Agave striata has good winter hardiness and has been fine at 0 degrees F in our garden. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01149
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Agave toumeyana ssp. bella (Hardy Century Plant)
SunZone: 7-9, at least 12" tall Origin: USA
Open House/Web-Only!
This small rock garden species is endemic to limestone outcrops in central Arizona at elevations up to 4500'. A. toumeyana makes individual rosettes to 1' tall x 1' wide with narrow, dark green leaves highlighted with dark brown margins and white bud imprints on the leaves. A. toumeyana offsets to form a splendid, tight colony resembling overweight hedgehogs at a feeding trough. Well-drained, rocky soils are important to be successful with A. toumeyana. Mature plants are topped with 8' tall flower spikes. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05765
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Agave 'Tradewinds' (Tradewinds Century Plant)
Sun to Part SunZone: 9-10, guessing 12" tall Origin: Hybrid
Open House/Web-Only!
(aka: A. potatorum 'Variegata') This interesting century plant is probably a seedling from A. 'Kissho Kan'. The symmetrical 12" tall x 15" wide rosette has a darker, more glossy blue leaf than A. 'Kissho Kan' but is bordered with a similar creamy white border. Unlike A. 'Kissho Kan', the spines emerge cinnamon red and remain that color. I have purchased it both as a selection of A. potatorum and A. parryi, both of which it is not. We have named it after John Lucas's Tradewinds Nursery, seemingly the first to import this into the US from Thailand. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07009
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Agave victoriae-reginae 'Compacta' (Queen Victoria Century Plant)
SunZone: 7b-10 10" tall Origin: Mexico
Open House/Web-Only!
Imagine plugging a beach ball into a 240-volt outlet, and you can begin to picture this cool agave. This dwarf seed strain of the Queen Victoria agave makes a very tight, leafy ball with the typical dramatic white veining for which this species is known. In the garden, where space is a consideration, or in a small container, this "compact" form is a great choice. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04774
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Agave victoriae-reginae 'Kazo Bana' (Golden Princess Hardy Century Plant)
SunZone: 8-10, guessing 10" tall Origin: Mexico
NEW!
Agave 'Kazo Bana' is one of the best of the gold-edged forms of Agave victoriae-reginae. Kazo Bana, which means Flower of Kazo, was named by Japanese variegated plant guru, Yoshimichi Hirose. Our 3 year old plants are now 3" tall x 5" wide, but we expect them to mature at 10" tall x 18" wide with age...great age. The tight, slowly offsetting clumps are composed of thick dark green leaves highlighted by a butterscotch-gold border, and topped with attractive white markings. Although most A. victoriae-reginae are hardy to Zone 7b, I'd recommend growing this to a larger size before trying it outdoors north of warm Zone 8. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07806
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Agave victoriae-reginae 'Porcupine' (Porcupine Queen Victoria Century Plant)
SunZone: 7b-10 10" tall Origin: Mexico
This clonal selection of the compact form of Agave victoriae-reginae comes from Yucca Do Nursery, who selected it for its perfectly symmetrical form and nice white leaf markings. A. victoriae-reginae is painfully slow growing, so expect about 5-10 years before you'll have a basketball-sized clump. Good winter drainage and a slightly sloped planting site are important for survival. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08390
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Agave weberi 'Arizona Star' (Arizona Star Century Plant)
Sun to Part SunZone: 8b-10, at least 48" tall Origin: Mexico
Agave 'Arizona Star' is a PDN introduction, propagated from a plant we discovered in a block of the central Mexican A. weberi at Arizona's Mountain States Wholesale Nursery. We'd like to thank them for allowing us to make this find available. A. weberi 'Arizona Star' makes a large, 4' tall x 7' wide specimen of 5" wide blue-green leaves, each surrounded by a 1.5" wide yellow border. The leaves have only tiny, barely visible spines along the leaf edge and one real one at the leaf tip. This plant is not the same as A. weberi 'Marginata', which for us has been much slower growing with cream-colored margins. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06286
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