Monday, August 12, 2013

State of the Agaves Report

One of the many fun things about reading blogs is stealing their ideas being inspired by other bloggers.  Loree at Danger Garden reports on the state of the agaves in her garden several times a year.  Loree lives in Portland, Oregon, which is not the most agave-friendly climate and in her latest report she wondered how much those same agaves might have grown in a southwestern climate for three years.  I took the challenge and decided to post about this even though I don't actually live in the southwest according to most regional guides.   I do live about 300 miles or so east of the line which is no distance at all in Texas and I own a copy of the Sunset Western Garden book so I figured it's close enough.  There's not a lot to post about in the heat of August and the agave is a plant that does well in our climate.

First up is the cornerstone of my front garden, the Agave ovatifolia.  Inspired by "Moby" on Pam Penick's blog Digging, it was planted spring of 2010 after we had finished our big construction projects--replacing the roof and building a new garage.  A very important point since it's a good idea to get big projects out of the way before adding specimen plants. 

The A. Ovatifolia in early October of 2010 newly planted and still showing the effects of the 3-gallon grower's pot.  I'd guess it was about 24 inches diameter at this point.  This was planted Before Blogging (BB) so you can tell it was a big event in the garden because I have photos.


Even in our hot, relatively dry climate we mounded up the planting area and mixed decomposed granite into the soil.  That turned out to be a good idea because we have had whole weeks of rainy days and  received about 10 inches of rain in just over four hours a few weeks ago.

Forward to August 2013 and how it looks three years later.  By keeping the photo the same perspective you can see how much the plant has grown.  It has added about three rows of leaves in three years and now measures 37" diameter on its way to about 48" according to most websites although they do get a bit larger here.


Because it does have good drainage I water it every two weeks during droughts.  For the most part we have had mild, dry winters and pretty good summers since it was planted.

It grew a lot in its third year.  The big picture from March 2012



Just under a year and a half later in August 2013



The next agave on the list is one I'm guessing to be Agave americana.  I'm not sure since it was purchased without tags from Jean the cactus guy we found on CraigslistA. americana is native to parts of Texas and, while it is not native to San Antonio, it has been naturalized on ranches and homesteads all around the area for decades.

Here it is newly planted in the Fall of 2011


And now two years later.  That is the same yucca in front of it.  One of these will be moved in the fall.


The agave was "antlered" by a buck shortly after planting and is recovering quite well.  Even with our good agave weather it's not easy to keep them pristine.

No plant shows the difference more than the agave behind the garage.  I don't know the name of this one, it is a spineless agave with very sharp leaf points.

November 2011


It was probably about 30" when planted and now is 58" at the longest point on the bottom leaves.  The bed is 8' diameter for perspective.

August 2013


Agave americana grows so well in this area that we just plant them and walk away.  They pup prolifically and the deer love to chew on the pups.  This one might get a bit more water than the ones in front as it is right next to the hose bib.

The thing I notice most in reading blogs from the Pacific Northwest region is how many agaves can be planted close together in a small space because they don't grow nearly as fast.  I've also noticed that gardens like Ruth Bancroft and Lotusland allow the plants to bunch together as you would see in the wild and I might just clear out this bed and let the agave fill out with pups for a large display.  Not much else will grow here anyway.

That's the Agave Report from my South Texas garden.  If you read Friday's post you'll know there will be more agaves to report on as I follow through on my plan to cut down on summer watering.

28 comments:

  1. Overachiever! I'm thoroughly amazed at how much your Agaves have grown. I need to remember to water mine more in the summer. I hadn't realized till I read Loree's post that they do actually like/need some water during their actively growing cycle, and will grow better for it. I definitely think you should enlarge the bed around that last one and let it naturalize like the ones at Ruth Bancroft.

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    1. Agaves do benefit from a bit of water during dry weather. It's a balancing act because you can end up with a "floppy agave".

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  2. Wonderful state of the agave! I love your agave ovatifolia. I too was inspired by Pam's Moby. I planted three agave ovatifolia frosty blue that season and two have flourished... the other is barely holding on for life. It's insane to see how much faster they grow given some true Texan sun.

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    1. That is crazy compared to other areas isn't it. We need to shade them sometimes so they don't get too much of a good thing.

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  3. To steal a descriptor from another PNW blogger your Agave ovatifolia is EPIC! That is just darn gorgeous.

    I don't remember seeing the planting area where the second one is before, with the yucca, from that angle, I love it! Thanks for the report, I am a little jealous...

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    1. I'm glad you enjoyed the update. I usually only post that angle when doing a full review since it's been somewhat static for a year or so. That will change this fall when we rework it.

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  4. There is nothing better than an agave in the garden to add structure and balance!!! Love!

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    1. Structure and balance is especially nice when you don't have to spend a lot of time on the plant to produce it.

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  5. Lots of wonderful growth you have there! I was just thinking when I was weeding friday how quickly my blue agave has grown in just 2 years - maybe I'll post too. It sure has been great weather for agave growth the last 2 years here for sure. Stay cool!

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    1. Please do post it and let Loree know so she can follow yours too.

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  6. Your agaves have really grown.
    Love the look of the Whale's Tongue.

    I have lots of a. lophantha. And, one unknown agave, that I rescued when our neighbor cleaned out her front bed. It was in sad shape from the deer. But, it looks good now. We'll be putting it in a 'cage' this fall, when the bucks like to rub off that velvet.

    The deer can really do a job on agaves and yucca. But, they're two plants that can withstand this heat. So, I'll keep on trying to have them.



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    1. I put stakes and all types of contraptions around during antler season. There's always a plant I didn't think about that gets hit though.

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  7. I am not an agave person, but I can appreciate yours. They are looking very solid, and I like the blue-grey foliage.

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    1. They wouldn't be a necessary addition to the garden in Chicago but that's what makes traveling through blogs fun.

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  8. You must be doing everything right as your agaves are all looking gorgeous! Love this state of the agaves post and may "become inspired" myself one of these days to do the same.

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    1. There isn't much to it because they are easy to grow here. Always fun to see how things are doing in your part of the world.

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  9. I've only recently become interested in Agaves because I didn't think we could grow them here. But then I learned more about them at www.coldhardycactus.com, and I now have an Agave utahensis. It's supposed to be hardy to -20F! I really enjoyed your "before and after" shots--that always amazes me. Your Agaves look fantastic!

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    1. That's amazing hardiness, many agaves are from mountainous regions so it makes sense that some would be exceptionally hardy.

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  10. Wow that Agave ovatifolia, what a beauty!

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    1. It is looking good, thanks to Pam for the recommendation!

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  11. Great to be reminded to water the yucca, agave and even cacti. As someone mentioned above, I`m always a bit jealous of your stuff. Thanks for sharing, as always.

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    1. Even though they are quite drought tolerant they will die without an occasional watering during drought.

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  12. The 'progress report' format is a wonderful way to frame a post. Of course you are bringing out the green-eyed monster lurking in the hearts of PNWesterners who are more likely to have this kind of success with moss and ferns.

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    1. Maybe I should do a moss and fern report so you can see what fails around here. There are drought tolerant native ferns and lichen on the trees which is the closest we get to what you have there.

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  13. Your little Whale is growing fast, stretching its flukes!

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  14. Great post, Shirley. Agave are so sculptural in their effect, they act as more than plants but rather they act as large garden ornaments. This is evidenced in your final imagine. Can't imagine what it will look like in another two years, my friend.

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  15. Looking good - can't wait until I can post some more images of your Agave ovatifolia!

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  16. I think an agave is enough ornamental plant for your garden, Shirley. I love them in Botanic gardens or as indoors plants in our climate! I surprised how quickly it grows, I always thought these plants, succulents grow very slowly.

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