Some agave plants grow well in our area

evaporation of excess moisture. For agave plants sensitive to cold, planting in pots oers the exibility of bringing them indoors during the Carol Dalu winter months. As with Master Gardener many plants, fall and spring are good times for uestion: In re- planting agave. cent travels to Although most prefer the southwest I drier Mediterranean Q came across an climates, there are quite interesting plant called a few that are cold hardy agave. I would like to and will grow in the Pa- know more about this cic Northwest. Here is plant and if it will grow just a sampling: in our area. ■ Agave havardiana Answer: The interest- (Harvard Agave), sil- ing, eye-catching agave ver-gray leaves plant is native to the ■ Agave Montana southern United States, (Mountain Agave), ap- Mexico, the Caribbe- ple-green leaves with red an and northern South teeth America. It is valued for ■ Agave ovatifolia its very striking ap- (Whale’s Tongue Agave), pearance, how easy it PIXABAY PHOTOS gray to powdery blue is to grow and for being Agave victoriae-reginea (Queen Victoria Century Plant) is a smaller variety of agave plant that is well-suited to a Pacific leaves lined with small drought tolerant. Northwest climate. However, it may need protection on the coldest days. teeth Although it looks very ■ Agave parryi much like a cactus, it is a great option. They (Artichoke Agave), is actually a perennial prefer rocky or sandy silvery-blue to sil- succulent. Agave is in soil but will tolerate any very-green leaves with the Agavacea family of well-draining soil, and dark spines evergreen succulents, they are not particular ■ Agave victoriae-re- which also includes dra- about the soil pH. Aga- ginae (Queen Victoria caenas, yuccas and po- ve plants need a sunny Century Plant), dark nytail palms. Commonly location and depend- green leaves with white named the ‘Century ing on the full size at margins and one of the Plant’ because it was maturity, they need smaller varieties; may thought they need about space to spread out. Be- need protection on the a century to bloom, how- fore planting, confirm coldest days ever, many will bloom the location you have When considering an after 10 to 15 years. And chosen will be appro- agave plant, chose one although they are often priate for the plant at that will make a nice found in the gardens in full size, as many reach focal point in the garden, drier Mediterranean cli- 4 to 6 or even 10 feet in paying attention to the mates, there are varieties diameter. size it will achieve at ma- that will grow nicely in When rst establish- turity. Also, remember the Pacic Northwest ing plants they will need most have sharp thorns region. water every 4-5 days for or prickly edges, which Agave is a genus of about a month. Then is something to keep in several hundred species, taper o to once a week, mind if there are chil- so there should be one then every other week dren or pets in the home; to meet the needs of any depending on the weath- placing them away from garden — from very large er. Once established, let walkways and patio ar- specimens that grow to the soil dry out before eas is helpful. 20 feet in diameter, to watering. If you do not rather small dish-sized have the space for a large Do you have a gardening varieties perfect for plant, there are smaller question? Email, call, or small pots. varieties that do well in visit the Douglas County Some have sti, up- pots and can be planted Master Gardener Plant right leaves with sharp in the standard cactus Clinic at douglasmg@ spines along the edges potting mix. Consider oregonstate.edu, 541-672- and others are soft with using an unglazed pot, 4461, or 1134 SE Douglas no spines, but most all as it will allow better Ave., Roseburg. have leaves that end Agave parryi’s (Artichoke Agave) silvery-blue to silvery-green leaves have dark spines. in a sharp point. They The variety is a good choice to grow in the Pacific Northwest. come in colors ranging from green, blue-green dramatic foliage, not owering spike can transplanted to replace TH • 4-7PM to gray-green, some are their owers. Agave reach upwards of 15 feet the parent plant once it IT’S A PARTY!• SEPT 8 variegated with yellow is monocarpic, mean- or more. Generally, by dies. DOWNTOWN ROSEBURG or white striped leaves, ing they bloom one the time they bloom, Agave plants are LIVE MUSIC, FOOD and others have leaves time when fully ma- they will have pro- fairly easy to grow; LOCAL VENDORS with eye-catching red or ture, which can take duced small pup plants they seem to thrive AND FUN! white tips. anywhere from 5 to 40 around the base or will on neglect. For those Agave plants are typ- years, and then die. have produced seeds or looking for drought-re- VISIT: ically long-lived plants The blooms are quite plantlets on the ower sistant, fire-resistant, nwumpqua.org/ grown mainly for their spectacular, as the giant stalk, which can then be low-water plants, agave Roseburg-block-party