I do. I must admit that I am not a huge fan of cacti in my own garden – I have only two. But, I do have a number of agave, which are without a doubt, my favorite succulent.
What’s not to love about agave?
They are drought-tolerant, fuss-free and with over 200 species to choose from, the possibilities in the landscape are almost endless.
From species 18 inches in size to large size species over 6 feet tall and a variety of colors and leaf shapes to choose from, it’s a wonder that I don’t have more agave in my landscape.
Would you like to include agave in your landscape?
Learn more about this versatile agave and how to use it in your landscape in my latest article for Houzz.
Do you have agave growing in your garden? What species is your favorite?
https://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Queen-Butterfly-Agave_victoria_reginae-1.jpg800573arizonaplantlady@gmail.comhttp://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/favicon.pngarizonaplantlady@gmail.com2014-11-04 16:19:002022-11-02 00:11:03Beautiful Agave: How to Grow and Use It In Your Landscape
Did you know that one of the great things about living in the Southwest is the fact that we aren’t limited to just growing flowering annuals in our pots – succulents make great alternative container plants!
Last year, I replaced all of my flowering plants with succulents and I haven’t looked back. They look great and take very minimal care, which fits into my busy life perfectly.
Recently, I visited the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix and saw some great examples of potted succulents, which I thought I’d share with you…
Succulents in pot, Victoria Agave ‘Compacta’
Succulents in pot, Agave parryi ‘truncata’
Succulents in pot, Mexican Fence Post (Pachycereus marginatus)
A trio of variegated agave
Succulents in pot, ‘Blue Elf’ Aloe
As you can see, there are so many options when you decide to use succulents in containers.
Whether you live near the Desert Botanical Garden or even if you don’t – you can visit your local botanical garden for some alternative ideas for filling your containers.
Growing succulents in pot is easy – the most important thing is that they are well-drained, so it’s important to use a planting mix specially formulated for succulents.
Do you have any succulents growing in pots?
https://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/succulent_container_Monstrose_totem_pole_cactus_Victoria_agave_ladys_slipper_plant.jpg1200855arizonaplantlady@gmail.comhttp://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/favicon.pngarizonaplantlady@gmail.com2014-10-27 19:44:002022-11-02 00:17:29Succulents: Great Alternative Container Plants
A few weeks ago, I was asked by one of my editors to come up with a list of the top 10 plants that every resident of the Southwest should consider adding to their Southwestern landscape.
I must admit that the task was a bit daunting at first – not because I couldn’t think of enough plants. The problem was that my list was much larger.
How Easy is it to Find Native Southwestern Landscape Plants at a Local Nursery?
I had to pare my list down and decided to focus on plants that would grow in zones 7 – 10, which cover much of the desert Southwest. In addition, they had to be low-maintenance, native, beautiful and easy to grow.
After considering all of the criteria, I still had about 20 plants. So, I added one other criteria of my own – how easy is it to find at your local nursery?
At the end, I had 10 plants that I was very happy with – but I could have easily added a lot more 😉
I hope you enjoy reading through this list of 10 essential plants for the desert Southwest.
Flourishing Amidst Adversity: 10 Resilient Plants in the Southwestern Landscape
The desert Southwest is a region of extremes, with scorching summer heat and chilling winter temperatures that challenge even the most robust flora. Yet, in the face of such harsh conditions, these native plants not only survive but thrive. Equipped with remarkable adaptations, these tenacious species call the arid landscapes of the U.S. Southwest their home.
Enduring the relentless dry heat and enduring the freezing winter cold, they serve as a testament to nature’s resilience. Beyond their endurance, these plants play a vital role in the ecosystem, providing nectar for birds and bees, and shelter for native bird species. Every one of these drought-resistant plants contributes to the desert’s beauty.
Embracing the Sun: Essential Care Tips for Desert Native Plants
To cultivate a thriving desert garden, sunlight is key. Native desert plants require full sun, although some tolerate partial shade for a portion of the day. Optimal growth is achieved through deep, infrequent watering and well-drained soil.
Allow water to penetrate down to 1½ to 2 feet deep, ensuring the soil dries out before rewatering. For irrigation efficiency, drip systems are recommended. While new plants need more water until established, these desert natives rarely require additional fertilization.
1. Damianita (Chrysactinia mexicana): Thriving Delicacy of the Chihuahuan Desert
Delicate Flowers: The Charming Resilience of Damianita
Enduring the fiery extremes of the Chihuahuan desert, Damianita (Chrysactinia mexicana) emerges as a hardy and enchanting yellow ground cover (see above). Flourishing under full, reflected sun, this seemingly delicate plant showcases dark green, aromatic foliage, which undergoes a stunning transformation with the arrival of spring and fall.
Golden yellow flowers blanket the plant, adding a vibrant contrast to the arid landscape. Flourishing in well-drained soil, Damianita harmoniously complements the red flowers of firecracker penstemon and Valentine bush, as well as the purple blooms of desert ruellia.
2. Firecracker Penstemon (Penstemon eatonii): Painting Winter with Vibrant Hues
A Symphony of Color: Firecracker Penstemon’s Winter Splendor
In the midst of winter’s muted tones, the firecracker penstemon (Penstemon eatonii) ignites low-desert gardens with bursts of orange-red brilliance. Serving as a beacon of color during the colder months, this drought-tolerant perennial offers vital nectar for hummingbirds in winter scarcity.
Adaptable to cold winters and scorching summers, firecracker penstemon’s vibrant presence is enhanced when paired with complementary yellow-flowering perennials. Angelita daisy, damianita, and desert marigold join forces in a chromatic display, thriving under full sun or partial shade in well-drained soil.
3. Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens): A Dance of Life in Arid Lands
Nature’s Hummingbird Feeder: Ocotillo is a Migrating Hummingbird’s Favorite
Stretching towards the desert sky, ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) graces the Southwestern landscape with its elegant canes. Unique among shrubs, ocotillo’s canes burst forth with lush green leaves in response to rain showers and humidity, contrasting the arid surroundings (see photo right).
Vermilion-colored flowers crown the canes in spring, offering a lifeline to migrating hummingbirds. These vibrant blooms stand as a testament to ocotillo’s resilience and unwavering commitment to the desert ecosystem. A sun-soaked habitat is essential for this desert shrub’s growth.
4. Parry’s Agave (Agave parryi): Desert Elegance in Every Form
Sculpted Beauty: Parry’s Agave’s Role in Desert Aesthetics
Adorning the arid landscapes of central Arizona and New Mexico, Parry’s agave (Agave parryi) stands as a quintessential element of Southwestern scenery. Ranging from majestic giants to diminutive varieties, agaves exhibit a wide array of forms.
Parry’s agave, with its medium stature and captivating leaf shapes and colors, thrives in a spectrum of environments. Its resilience to colder temperatures and ability to thrive in sun-soaked spaces make it a preferred choice for desert landscaping.
5. Texas Ranger (Leucophyllum frutescens): The Majesty of Purple Blossoms
Nature’s Artist: Texas Ranger’s Purple Symphony
Residing in the heart of the Southwestern desert, the Texas Ranger (Leucophyllum frutescens) commands attention with its awe-inspiring purple blooms. Aptly known as the barometer bush, it responds to humidity and rainfall, painting the landscape with its vibrant hues in response.
Even without its dramatic blossoms, the evergreen gray-green foliage of the Texas Ranger exudes an intrinsic charm. This resilient shrub’s ability to thrive under the unrelenting sun and reflected heat underscores its stature as a true desert gem.
6. Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis): Nature’s Respite in Summer
Shade of Summer: Desert Willow’s Cooling Elegance
Amidst the scorching summer of the southwestern landscape, the desert willow (Chilopsis linearis) emerges as a refreshing oasis. This medium-sized deciduous tree enchants with its large, colorful blossoms that beckon hummingbirds from far and wide. (See the flowers in the image right)
Its vibrant pink and magenta flowers offer dappled shade to the plants below, providing relief from the desert’s intensity. Versatile and thornless, the desert willow thrives in smaller spaces, making it a charming addition to courtyards and patios.
7. Pink Muhly (Muhlenbergia capillaris): A Fall Color Explosion
Autumn’s Blush: Pink Muhly’s Dance of Color
The transition to fall heralds a breathtaking transformation as pink muhly (Muhlenbergia capillaris) takes the stage. Ornamental grasses provide texture and contrast in the landscape, and pink muhly stands out for its vibrant fall display.
As summer yields to autumn, the green foliage is adorned with plumes of pinkish-burgundy, casting a rosy enchantment over the surroundings. This ornamental grass thrives in the desert’s abundant sunlight and can be artfully clustered for a striking visual impact.
8. Red Yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora): Sun-Kissed Elegance
A Desert Gem: Red Yucca’s Sunlit Splendor
Thriving under the full, reflected sun of the desert, the red yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora) stands as a beacon of effortless beauty. Its succulent leaves bear a resemblance to ornamental grass, while spikes of coral-colored flowers grace the landscape in spring and early summer.
Adding a touch of elegance, the red yucca effortlessly weaves color and texture into the Southwestern tapestry, undeterred by the region’s demanding climate.
9. Santa Rita Prickly Pear (Opuntia violaceae santa-rita): A Desert Icon
Nature’s Palette: Santa Rita Prickly Pear is a Must-Have for Shape and Design
The Southwestern landscape would be incomplete without the iconic presence of prickly pears. Among them, the Santa Rita prickly pear (Opuntia violaceae santa-rita) stands out with its captivating purple-tinged gray-blue pads.
Adapting its hue in response to drought and cold, it is a testament to nature’s artistry. Against this unique backdrop, yellow flowers burst forth in spring, amplifying the species’ beauty. Its distinctive appearance makes it a valuable choice for creating visual contrast in the garden.
10. Yellow Bells (Tecoma stans): A Long-Lasting Serenade
Golden Harmonies: Yellow Bells’ Melodic Bloom
Elevating the desert landscape with a touch of the exotic, yellow bells (Tecoma stans) exude a tropical charm. Their large, trumpet-shaped flowers bring shades of yellow to the arid backdrop, evoking a sense of warmth.
In a captivating display, these flowers bloom from the end of winter until just before the first frost, a resounding chorus of color for an extended period. Serving as a vital nectar source, yellow bells enrich the desert ecosystem, inviting hummingbirds and bees to partake in its golden bounty.
Plant These Native Plants in the Southwestern Landscape
The desert Southwestern landscape may present challenges, but these ten top native plants have evolved to not only endure but flourish amidst adversity. With adaptations that defy the elements, these species contribute to the intricate web of life in the desert, adding splashes of color and life to the arid landscape.
By embracing these resilient beauties, gardeners can cultivate oases of natural wonder in even the most unforgiving of terrains.
https://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/artichoke_agave_golden_barrel_cactus_Argentine_giant.jpg16001480arizonaplantlady@gmail.comhttp://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/favicon.pngarizonaplantlady@gmail.com2014-08-25 13:30:002023-08-30 13:25:2410 Best Plants for the Southwestern Landscape
In honor of Halloween, I thought that I would do a ‘scary’ post for all of you.
Now, this post isn’t filled with ghouls, witches, skeletons or zombies. But that doesn’t make it any less scary.
Over the years, I have photographed examples of truly horrific pruning, which are quite scary 😉
WARNING: The following images are not for the faint of heart…
These used to be Jacaranda trees. I say “used to” because they died because of this severe and unnecessary pruning.
This is a photo of a Red Yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora) that was pruned the wrong way.
Unfortunately, this was a landscape that I was in charge of 14 years ago next to the clubhouse on a golf course.
My well-intentioned crew member, thought he was doing me a favor by pruning them for me. He was so proud of the work he had done, that he came into my office and asked me to come outside and see his handiwork.
I must say, that it was hard to criticize him because he was so proud of his work. Needless to say, I transferred him to doing more clean-up and less pruning around the golf course.
A few months later, he returned to his small town in Mexico where he became mayor 🙂
*This is what Red Yucca are supposed to look like when in flower…
As you can see, you don’t cut the grass-like, succulent foliage below – ever. The flowers can be pruned to the base when they die. If the base clump become to wide, then divide the base much like you would perennials.
This photo was taken of another landscape area about 12 years ago that I was in charge of by another golf course. I made sure that the crew did not prune it 😉
Last month, I was in the historic district of downtown Phoenix returning from a landscape consultation when I drove by these very sad California Fan Palms.
While fall is the time to prune back – this is NOT the way to do it. Too much was removed. For guidelines on how to prune palm trees, click here.
This was a beautiful Palo Brea tree. Unfortunately, it was ‘topped’ in order for the homeowner to preserve their view of the mountains.
‘Topping’ trees is very bad for trees. It leaves the upper branches open to sunburn, which is often followed by insect infestations or disease.
In fact, topping trees causes the tree to grow faster, to replace the lost foliage, which leads to an increased need for pruning. The branches that appear after ‘topping’ have a very weak attachment, which makes the new branches a hazard because they are in danger of breaking off.
**If a tree is blocking a view that is important to you – then remove the tree instead of subjecting it to torturing it with this type of pruning.
Here is another example of ‘topping’. This parking lot in Scottsdale, has trees like this.
Believe it or not, this ‘topped’ tree is a Willow Acacia (Acacia salicina).
This is what it should look like…
Hard to believe that they are the same type of tree, isn’t it?
I don’t think that I have ever seen an agave pruned so badly before.
The only time you need to prune an agave is to remove the bottom leaves, once they die.
I think that this agave would have looked much nicer if they had left it alone, like the one below…
It would also be much healthier and less likely to be susceptible to insect attack.
Believe it or not, these are citrus trees.
I could hardly believe my eyes when I drove by and saw what had happened to these trees.
You may be thinking that maybe they suffered from severe frost damage and had to be cut back. But, I assure you, this wasn’t the case. I worked just down the road from this house and there was no reason for these trees to be pruned this severely.
Ideally, citrus trees are pruned in March, concentrating on removing dead branches and suckers.
In fact, did you know that the lower branches produce more fruit that tastes sweeter than that on the higher branches? That is why you see citrus growers letting the lower branches of their trees grow instead of pruning them up into tree shapes.
**Just don’t let any branches (suckers) from below the bud union grow because they are from the root stock and are thorny and will produce sour fruit.
Much like the Red Yucca I showed you earlier, these Desert Spoon have been butchered.
They also did the same to their own Red Yucca, off to the right.
Desert Spoon has a beautiful, natural form.
The only pruning to be done is to remove the bottom leaves once they turn brown and die.
**************************
I hope you haven’t been to ‘scared’ by these scary pruning practices.
Sometimes it is easy to get carried away when pruning. But it is important to remember that a plant’s leaves make the food for the plant. Take away the ability of the plant to make food, it will re-route resources normally used for dealing with environmental stresses as well as defenses against insects and disease toward growing new leaves.
This will make your plants/trees more susceptible to other problems, not to mention leaving them ugly.
I thought that I would share with you my observations on various landscape practices that I viewed over a one week period last month.
As a horticulturist (or a plant lady as my kids call me), I have a hard time “turning off” and not looking at landscapes as I go by. I am always looking for a beautiful garden 🙂
So here are my observations, in no particular order.
Got floppy agave?
This is the time of year where you will see agave that seem to have suddenly flopped over.
I saw both of these agave on my way home from my mother-in-law’s house.
There was one year when I was working as a horticulturist for golf courses and we had quite a few of our agave flop over. Now, I had a fairly good idea what had happened to them, but to confirm my diagnosis, we had to dig them up.
Once we did, we were hit with a truly horrible odor, which confirmed that we were dealing with agave snout weevils.
You can read more about agave snout weevil and how to recognize an infestation and how to prevent them here.
Okay, my second observation came courtesy of a facebook follower who asked me if gray Palo Verde trunks were normal.
I explained to her that as Palo Verde trees age, it is common for their trunk to turn gray.
Her question reminded me again of how much I didn’t know when I started on horticulture course work and all the questions that I had. There are way to many things like this that I overlook and need to remember so that I can assist new desert gardeners.
Speaking of Palo Verdes, I saw this beautiful ‘Desert Museum’ Palo Verde tree in front of the hospice facility where my father-in-law was.
You may be surprised to find that there is a serious problem with this tree.
Can you see what it is?
Here it is a bit closer.
The tree has been staked, but the cable wire used was not covered where it comes in contact with the tree trunk.
As you can see, the cable wire is digging into the trunk and starting to cut off the vascular system of the tree, which is located around the outer portion of the trunk.
Unfortunately, I see this quite often. Usually in parking lot trees. There is still time to remove the wire in this case.
When staking a tree, always cover the portion of the cable wire that touches the tree with a piece of drip hose or a regular hose and make sure that you can adjust it as the trunk grows larger.
When Ocotillo are sold and transported, their canes are often tied up for safety for both the handler and the ocotillo itself.
However once planted, you do not need to keep it tied up. Remove the ties and soon you will be enjoying the beauty of your Ocotillo as it grows and spreads out its beautiful canes.
Aren’t they so beautiful?
My last observation occurred as I traveled to the outskirts of the Phoenix metro area where I was to meet with an organization regarding a landscape service project.
As I drove, the suburbs began to melt away and I was surrounded by farmland. As I turned down the street where my meeting was located, I saw that it was lined with mature pecan trees and large farmhouses sitting a few acres each.
It was just so beautiful…
I bet you didn’t think that places like this existed in the desert, did you?
Well, there are actually many areas like this. As I left, I could just picture myself living in a large farmhouse with acres of land to garden in. But then I reminded myself that I have a hard enough time keeping up with my 1/3 of an acre 😉
******************
I hope your week is going well.
My younger sister (not my youngest sister, Chicken Farmer), and her family are coming out for a visit tomorrow. Her husband is interviewing for a job out here and I am very hopeful that they will be moving out here shortly.
Believe it or not, I was the first of my family to move out to Arizona from Southern California 25 years ago after I married my husband. Then 5 years ago, my youngest sister and my brother and their families moved out here. My parents followed a year later and now perhaps my other sister will soon move here.
I hope it all works out.
Oh by the way…..11 days until my daughter’s due date.
I am beginning to get just slightly excited!
https://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2293.jpg485640arizonaplantlady@gmail.comhttp://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/favicon.pngarizonaplantlady@gmail.com2011-10-20 13:19:002021-02-12 07:52:36Observations on This and That AND The Countdown Begins…
I have been fighting a losing battle for over 16 years and it involves my husband, agave and yucca.
Yucca whipplei
Okay, here is a yucca (above). One of the many different species that occur throughout the Southwest.
And here is an agave….
Agave americana
Actually, there are also many different species of agave as well.
Here are a few different agaves that I have grown along with my husband in the 25 years that we have been married:
Agave vilmoriniana
Agave parryi
Agave desmettiana (getting ready to flower)
Agave victoria-reginae
So, what is the battle that I am dealing with?
Well, my husband always refers to agave as yuccas.
No matter how often I tell him that we don’t have any yucca in our garden – only agave, he still calls them ‘yuccas’.
He has lived in the Desert Southwest his entire life and still cannot tell the difference.
Now, I really don’t have anything against yuccas….
Yucca baccata
Unlike agave, yuccas can grow very tall and large.
But, I must admit that I prefer agave.
Sometimes when my husband and I are driving down the street, he will point to a flowering agave and call it a ‘yucca’. And every time, I correct him. Now, I don’t want you to think that I am the type of person that is always correcting others, but this one thing is a particular sticking point with me.
I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s because I’m a horticulturist and I am passionate (crazy) about plants?
For awhile I was wondering if my husband just did it to tease me, (like he does about other things).
That is until last weekend, when my father-in-law asked me to prune some of the dead leaves from his yucca….
Agave americana variegata
The only thing is….it wasn’t a yucca.
Now, I know where my husband gets it from…..
******************************
I hope you all have a great weekend!
I will be hibernating indoors this weekend, enjoying the air-conditioning 🙂
One of the iconic plants of the Southwest flowers only once and produces the most unusual flowers you will probably ever see.
What is even more interesting, is that each one of these plants produces a different type of flower depending on the species.
Oh, and I almost forgot to mention that the plant dies after flowering.
So, by now you may have guessed that I am talking about Agave, sometimes referred to as Century Plant, although they do not take that long to flower.
As I was preparing this post, I was going through my photos of flowering agave and I was struck again at how unusual they are and how different they look from species to species. Some form a single stalk and others branch out from the single stalk.
I would like to share with you some of my favorites….
When an agave flowers is largely dependent on the species. Some only take 8 years, while others can wait up to 25 years before they flower.
Some people inadvertently hasten the flowering process by over watering and fertilizing their agave.
Not all agave flower at the same time. Some start in the spring while others begin in the fall.
Contrary to popular opinion, removing the flowering stalk, will not keep your agave alive.
In fact, you are interfering with the agave’s crowning glory – their life’s work by removing their flower.
It is fascinating to see how the stalk begins to rapidly grow and then transforms as you can see from the following photos of an Octopus Agave (Agave vilmoriniana).
The stalk begins to appear.
It is so interesting to view up close.
The flowering stalk has reached its full height.
Small Octopus Agave that are just waiting to fall and root. Or you can pull them off and plant them yourself.
The entire flowering process can take months and in many cases, the flowering stalk is quite beautiful and is highly prized.
You can even keep it after it has dried out. Believe it or not, people pay money for dried agave stalks.
In my own landscape, I have 4 different types of agave and I am always thrilled when I see the flower stalk appear and can witness the strange and beautiful flowering process.
The flower of Agave desmettiana
So, how about you? Have you witnessed an agave flowering?
Now, you may think that I am talking about soft, cuddly puppies finding a new home. But, I am actually talking about my agave pups. The word ‘pups’ refers to the small agave offsets that sometimes form from the adult agave.
Agave americana surrounded by her ‘pups’.
Some agave species produce quite a few pups, while other species rarely do. I do try to stay from agave species like Agave americana because they produce so many pups that it becomes quite a maintenance chore to constantly remove them all. But that being said, I have many friends and clients who just love this particular agave.
Well, the day finally came in my garden for my agave pups to move away from their childhood home.
Can you see them? There are 4 in the picture above. Three are quite small still, but more then ready to leave their mother, my Agave parryi. I am actually quite excited to be getting pups from this agave because in my experience, they do not produce many pups. It may be that this one has because it does receive overspray from my lawn sprinklers.
Okay, this may seem obvious, but you would be amazed at how many people just start digging in the middle of their gravel (granite) without clearing it away first. Believe me…you want to clear it away first or else you will be left with a mixture of rock and soil mixed together.
Aren’t they cute in a prickly sort of way? They really are quite tiny.
I carefully removed the soil around the pups, leading to the mother plant because the pups are still attached to her by a thick, fleshy root. You can see that the pups are beginning to form their own roots, branching out to the side.
Just cut the root connecting the pup to the adult agave….that’s it. It is really very easy.
Now, this same adult agave also has another pup, which has grown much closer to home then these tiny pups.
This one did not want to leave home, even though it was quite grown up. When the pups are growing right up alongside the adult plant, just insert a shovel and push down firmly, cutting the connecting root. **Sometimes you have to be a bit forceful in getting some pups to leave home 😉
I was able to harvest 5 pups. I was so happy and had fun selecting where I wanted to put them in my garden.
Before you plant them, you need to put them in a dry, shady spot for 4 – 7 days so that the cuts have a chance to dry first. This helps to prevent rot when they are planted. Don’t worry about them surviving without water for a few days….they have plenty stored inside – they are succulents after all.
Once you have planted them, they will need supplemental water to help them establish and grow roots. Agave do best when given supplemental water, even when mature. Most are connected to my drip irrigation system. The others receive overspray from my sprinklers, which is enough for them.
If you haven’t noticed this before, I am not a perfect gardener and am likely to tell people, “Do as I say, not as I do”. But, I do not profess to be a perfectionist and so I will show you one of my larger agave, whose pups should have left home long ago…
This is my Smooth Leaf Agave (Agave desmettiana). I love this type of agave. It is medium size, and the sides of the leaves do not have thorns. The thorns on the tips can easily be cut off if desired for a more pedestrian friendly agave.
As you can see from the photo above, the pups are quite large and should have been kicked out long ago. So, I brought in the muscle (my husband) to help get them out.
Because the pups were growing close to the parent plant, a shovel had to be used to separate them.
Agave desmettiana is known for producing offsets (pups), but in my experience, there are not too many.
Actually, the adult agave below was grown from a pup.
A proud parent and her 8 offspring. I planted a few and gave some to my mother, Pastor Farmer, of Double S Farms.
There were times when I worked on golf courses that my budget was tight, so I would ask residents to bring their agave pups to me so that we could use them in landscape areas around the courses. The residents were very generous and after a while, we had more then we knew what to do with. So, if you have some agave pups, plant one in a pretty container and give to a friend or donate them to your city, church or other organization.
**My son continues to do better each day. We did have a little bit of a setback on Saturday, but yesterday and today, he is feeling much better. Thank you again for your support and prayers!
https://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Agave-americana-pups.jpg480640arizonaplantlady@gmail.comhttp://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/favicon.pngarizonaplantlady@gmail.com2010-06-07 17:13:002021-02-22 10:45:01Pups Ready to Leave Home….
A horticulturist in a plant nursery is much like a kid in a candy store, which can be VERY dangerous…..
This is where I found myself a couple of weeks ago after spending the day walking through the beautiful gardens of “The Living Desert“.
The gardens themselves, were absolutely spectacular and I posted about the beautiful flowers and the strange and unusual plants earlier. Well, we were on our way out after 4 hours of walking around the gardens when I saw their plant nursery.
Well, one look at the glazed expression on my face, caused my family to find the closest bench to sit on because they knew it would be a while before they would see me again.
Agave attenuata
I particularly love visiting nurseries that are connected to botanical gardens because you can usually find plants that are hard to find elsewhere.
Unlike some of the big box stores, you will not find plants that are not suited to that particular area offered up for sale. This is a huge pet peeve of mine which I will cover in a later post.
Coral Aloe (Aloe striata)
The quality of the plants cannot be matched anywhere else either.
An assortment of Saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea), in different sizes offered for sale.
The nursery staff was assisting a couple of new desert residents in making their choices and were very helpful and knowledgeable. Unfortunately, this is also not often the case in big box stores.
Angelita Daisy (Tetraneuris acaulis)
I was quite overwhelmed at the selection that was available and I could have spent hours just looking and making choices, but my family was waiting patiently for me and so I tried my best to hurry.
Somehow, I got out of there with only 3 plants….2 Gaura lindheimeri ‘Siskiyou Pink’ and 1 Chaparral Sage (Salvia clevelandii).
It is a miracle that I came away with so few plants…..
https://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/DSC_0485.jpg426640arizonaplantlady@gmail.comhttp://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/favicon.pngarizonaplantlady@gmail.com2010-03-27 17:26:002021-02-27 02:56:56Like a Kid in a Candy Store…
The temperatures are warming and my garden is absolutely coming to life. Well, it really wasn’t dead or brown because I do live in the Arizona desert, but many plants that were dormant during the winter, are starting to produce new leaves AND flower buds…I can hardly wait!
For the first time, I have decided to enter Gardening Gone Wild’s photo contest. The theme for March is “Awakening”.
Flowers of an Agave desmettiana
My entry is a photo of the flowers of an Agave desmettiana which are just beginning to open up in March. These flowers are the crowning glory of the mature Agave plant, which pours all of it’s energy to producing these beautiful flowers. Afterward, the Agave will die, but will live on through it’s offspring.
https://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Agave-Bloom.jpg640425arizonaplantlady@gmail.comhttp://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/favicon.pngarizonaplantlady@gmail.com2010-03-13 18:34:002021-02-27 08:28:21Awakening to Spring
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
