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A bird’s eye view of my boutique agaves

It is not very often that we get cloudy days like most have been this week. In fact, statistically there are 258 sunny days per year in Vista, California, where I live. Thirty-five days per year are what they call precipitation days. These infrequent cloudy days can prove beneficial, as it is the best time to photograph boutique agaves from above without having a shadow cast through the rosette somewhere. Why does this matter? Because for me looking down on an agave is one of the joys of growing them. A real gift provided by Mother nature; the leaf shapes, leaf imprints, the colors and the symmetry are truly remarkable. It is almost hypnotic in a way. Here are some of my favorites growing in the garden right now—shadow free.

Agave victoriae-reginae ‘Compacta.’ A favorite of boutique agave growers everywhere.

Agave victoriae-reginae 'Compacta'

Agave victoriae-reginae ‘Variegated.’

Agave victoriae-reginae 'Variegated'

Agave nickelsiae. Once called Agave ferdinandi-regis, Agave nickelsiae is closely related to, and by some botanists grouped into, Agave victoriae-reginae.

Agave nickelsiae

Agave potatorum ‘Desert Diamond.’ Its smaller size and wider margins set this agave apart from the more common Agave potatorum ‘Kissho Kan’ seen below.

Agave potatorum 'Desert Diamond'

Agave potatorum ‘Kissho Kan.’

Agave potatorum 'Kissho Kan'

Agave potatorum var. verschaffeltii.

Agave potatorum var. verschaffeltii

Agave pumila. This is a slow growing agave with unique juvenile leaves.

Agave pumila

Agave filifera ssp. schidigera ‘Shira ito no Ohi.’.Quite the mouthful. “Shira ito no Ohi” is Japanese for “Queen Of White Thread.” Can you see why this attractive agave garnered that name?

Agave filifera ssp. schidigera 'Shira ito no Ohi'

Agave ocahui. This agave is one of the more cold tolerant of the genus, handling 15 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also a favorite to use in hybridizing with other boutique agaves. An example of one such cross is found below.

Agave ocahu

Agave ‘Sun Glow.’  This agave is a sport from the famous Kelly Griffin hybrid – Agave ‘Blue Glow’ (cross between Agave ocahui and Agave attenuata).

Agave 'Sun Glow'

Agave ‘Blue Ember.’

Agave "Blue Ember"

Agave ‘Little Shark.’ This plant is an Agave macroacantha x Agave victoria-reginae hybrid. As is Agave ‘Royal Spine.’

Agave 'Little Shark'

Agave macroacantha ‘Blue Ribbon.’

Agave macroacantha 'Blue Ribbon'

Mangave ‘Bloodspot.’ This colorful looking plant is actually an intergeneric hybrid between Agave macroacantha and Manfreda maculosa.

Mangave 'Bloodspot'

A little over a year ago I blogged about the changes I made to my boutique agave planter. One of the things I love about these small agaves so much is that most are slow growers and most do not offset profusely like many of the larger growing agaves. I can create a garden area that after five years will still look quite similar to when I first planted it out. This allows me to use my valuable free time in other parts of the garden that require much more maintenance.

Boutique agaves from left to right are Mangave ‘Bloodspot,’ Agave ‘Sun Glow,’ Agave ocahui, Agave ‘Little Shark,’ Agave ‘Blue Ember’ and Agave nickelsiae.

Boutique Agave Planter

Left to right is Agave victoriae-reginae ‘Compacta,’ Agave ‘Blue Ember,’ Agave nickelsiae, Agave victoriae-reginae ‘Albomarginata,’ Agave filifera ssp. schidigera ‘Shira ito no Ohi,’ Agave ocahui, and Agave victoriae-reginae ‘Variegated.’

Boutique Agave Planter

It is tough to beat a rock garden scene mixed in with agaves and aloes.

Boutique Agave Planter

Related posts:

  1. Agave ‘Blue Glow’ – The perfect agave
  2. Inter-City Cactus and Succulent Show and Sale
  3. Gloomy first day of June tour of some dwarf agaves
  4. Putting agaves in pots to make them stand out in the landscape

Tagged: Agaves, Variegation, Water Wise

May 7, 2015

Comments

  1. Bob says

    April 15, 2016 at 4:40 PM

    I just stumbled upon your page and you have some great agaves and landscaping ideas. I have 12 varieties of agaves now including some of the same boutique agaves as you. I really like your Agave ‘Sun Glow’ and other hard to find plants. You have one of the best collections I’ve ever seen. Inspiring and awesome!

    Reply
    • Len Geiger says

      April 15, 2016 at 5:30 PM

      Thanks Bob. With so many new kinds coming out, we shouldn’t get bored collecting them 🙂

      Reply
  2. Esther Tatoy says

    July 18, 2017 at 6:53 AM

    Hi! Beautiful plants. I saw somewhere in your website a photo of agave victoia reginae albomarginata. Is that yours? Where dd you you prchase? I am intrerested in purchasing one.
    Thank you.

    Reply
    • Len Geiger says

      July 18, 2017 at 7:31 AM

      Esther, I got mine from a private seller. The easiest place to get one right now is on eBay. I saw one on their last night.

      Reply
  3. Matt says

    December 21, 2021 at 6:47 PM

    Wow truly amazing all around

    Reply

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You may also like

  1. Agave ‘Blue Glow’ – The perfect agave
  2. Inter-City Cactus and Succulent Show and Sale
  3. Gloomy first day of June tour of some dwarf agaves
  4. Putting agaves in pots to make them stand out in the landscape

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