Taking a photo of this Agave deserti after another brutal summer is not really fair to this small Agave species. It will eventually reach up to two feet in diameter, and is far better looking in milder weather, as do most all plants around here. However, it does love the intense heat and full sun of summers in the desert. It is native to Arizona, California, and a part of northern Mexico. It's also very drought tolerant, and can take temperatures into the low 20s. This plant has been in the ground for four years, and has now started to produce offsets. They are a good distance from the mother plant, which will make them much easier to remove and plant in other areas.
I think I have now covered every species of Agave (16 of them!) in my garden. Of course, with all the replanted offsets from the various Agave species, I have upwards of 50 Agaves scattered throughout my front and back yards. Needless to say, between all the cacti and succulents, my landscape is not kid friendly. When the time comes to sell this place, new owners will probably come in and plow it all under, plant a lawn and get a pool. Me, I'll be in a tiny house with a postage stamp sized back yard, tending to two or three potted cactus plants and maybe my dwarf Agave 'Kissho Kan'. Some days, I think that day can't come soon enough!
"my landscape is not kid friendly" maybe not, but I'm sure it's gorgeous! That spiky danger is what inspired the name of my blog, danger garden (yes agaves in Portland, Oregon). And you never know, perhaps someone who truly can appreciate what you've created will be thrilled to acquire your property. Or not, things seem to work that way sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI love agaves. They are incredible plants that are extremely attractive and sharp!! But they are very beautiful plants.
ReplyDeleteOh, Aiyana...all you can do is appreciate it while you have it! When the day comes to leave, just go and don't look back! :)
ReplyDeleteIt surely had ben a ride, seeing all of your beautiful yard and plants over the past years!!! Thankyou for sharing all of your loves with us!
Just wanted to say that my wife and I love your blog. We have many of the same plants down here in Maricopa and it's fun to compare notes. In fact, I've linked you off of my blog now. Thanks for the great info.
ReplyDeleteLove the agave species! Hopefully the new owners (whenever that might be) will leave all as is!
ReplyDeleteOh come on, I think you would miss all those lovely agave, and cactus. I think the new owners, heaven forbid you move, would appreciate the fruit of all your hard work and love. Keep up the good work. This cruel summer will soon be over.
ReplyDeleteisn't your picture Agave murpheyi?
ReplyDeleteDarin,
ReplyDeleteIt was labeled A. desertii. I think that's probably right in that the A. murpheyi is solitary and produces an abundance of bulbils on a panicle when it blooms. The A. desertii produces lots of offsets and no bulbils when in bloom. My A. desertii started to produce numerous offsets this year, and the original plant came from an offset. I've often wondered if it might be a subspecies of A. desertii (deserti ssp. pringlei) rather than A. desertii ssp. deserti because it appears greener and the leaves are longer--the two characteristics of ssp. pringlei.
Aiyana
Aiyana
I would love your house. Mine is not kid friendly either!
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