Agave Americana
These are majestic architectural specimen plants that naturally occur in
the deserts of Mexico. However this plant is now found in many areas of
Europe. The fleshy leaves are produced in a basal rosette. This plant is
monocarpic, meaning it flowers and then dies, but the linage is
continued by offshoots which are produced through out its life. The
common name for this plant is century plant due to the length of time it
takes for it to flower, which in colder climates can be 60 odd years.
They are ideal plants for containers, tolerating poor soil and drought,
liking well drained soil and full sun. If you keep them well watered in
summer and feed them weekly they can grow into some impressive
structural specimens. Hardy to -8°C, they will tolerate the cold, but
the frost will damage the fleshy foliage and they are slow to recover,
so they will need wrapping up well if kept out side, though a cold green
house or structure is preferable.
Not an ideal plant to keep against paths as the spines are particularly
sharp, and not ideal where young children can reach them, the spines can
be cut off the tips if required. We have in limited numbers this year
Agave Americana varigata, which is the same as The blue grey Americana
but with a yellow variegation in the foliage. Prices vary as to the size
of the plant, so please contact us to see what availability we have, and
for prices.
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