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Agave ovatifolia |
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| Four-year-old plant |
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| Spring seedling, in October |
Common name |
whale's tongue agave |
Family |
agavaceae |
Life cycle |
perennial (Z8-10) |
Size |
3' |
Light |
sun |
Cultural notes |
well-drained soil; drought-tolerant |
From seed  |
germinate at room temperature with exposure to light
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Forms a symmetrical rosette, wider than it is tall, of fleshy smooth silver-blue leaves with toothed margins and terminal spines. Takes at least 4 years to reach close to its mature size, and much longer than that to bloom, carrying chartreuse flowers on a tall stalk. Part of project Agave 2018; among the species I grew from seed, this one has grown fastest, and is also the only one that isn't damaged at all in our stronger freezes (into the mid-teens).
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| Patch of year-old plants in holding area, June |
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| Third-year plant showing off the malevolent side and terminal spines on its broad leaves |
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| I love this plant up close – it's so architectural, with the contrasts between smooth sweeping curves and sharp spines, and between fresh blue-green and burgundy tips |
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| Ouch-inducing spines and barbs |
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In our garden, this plant grows in the following areas: Houston rock garden, left fence border, rock garden zone About my plant portraits
PlantLinks to other web pages about Agave ovatifolia
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