Fox Tail Agave
Synonym: Agave cernua, Agave debaryana, Agave glaucescens Hooker, Agave kellocki, Agave pruinosa
Family: Agavaceae
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Recommended Temperature Zone: sunset: 20-27 USDA: 10-11 Frost Tolerance: Semi tender in Phoenix, hardy to 30°F ( -1°C), it needs frost protection on coldest nights Minimum Avg. Temperature: 50°F (10°C) Heat Tolerance: Needs regular water in summer in Phoenix to avoid heat stress Sun Exposure: Light shade to part sun Origin: Mountains of central Mexico, rare in its natural distribution Growth Habits: Succulents, clumps to 5 feet tall (1.5 m), 5 feet diameter (1.5 m). Watering Needs: Infrequent water Propagation: Suckers (called pups), seeds, bulbils from the inflorescence. |
Agave attenuata 'Nova' is bluish green (picture 2), it was discovered on a Huntington Botanical Garden expedition in 1970, in Jalisco.
Cultural Practices:
Tolerates poor soil and drought, but does much better in good soil and regular water.
Blooming Habits:
Blooms only when the plant is 10 years old or more. The flower stalk is large (7 to 13 feet - 2 to 4 m) with yellow-green drooping flowers organized as a raceme. The plant then dies leaving suckers that grow into replacement plants.
References:
Agaves, Yuccas and Related Plants: A gardener guide
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More in the Agavaceae family © 2004 Philippe Faucon, All Rights Reserved. |