Parry's Agave (Agave parryi var. parryi)

Parry's Agave
Scientific Name: Agave parryi var. parryi Engelm.
Synonym: Agave chihuahuana, Agave americana var. latifolia, Agave patonii, Agave chihuahuana, Agave scabra Salm-Dyck, Agave wislizeni
Family: Agavaceae

Show Larger Picture Recommended Temperature Zone:
sunset: 10, 12-30
USDA: 9-11

Frost Tolerance: Hardy in Phoenix to 20°F (-7°C)
Minimum Avg. Temperature: 50°F (10°C)
Heat Tolerance: Excellent
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part sun
Origin: USA (Arizona, New Mexico), Mexico (Chihuahua, Durango), at 4000 to 9000 feet elevation (1200-2700 m)
Growth Habits: Perennial succulent. Compact xlustering rosettes, slowly growing to 3 feet in diameter (90 cm), 2 feet tall (60 cm) depending on subspecies.
Watering Needs: Infrequent water, needs good drainage
Propagation: Suckers (called pups), seeds

The Parry's agave look like a giant artichoke, it is well suited for containers. It tolerates poor soil and drought, but requires excellent drainage. It is sensitive to attacks by the agave weevil.

Blooming Habits:
Blooms only when the plant is 20 years old or more. The flower stalk is up to 15 feet tall (4.5 m) with small orange to yellow flowers. The plant then dies leaving suckers that grow into replacement plants.

References:
The Succulent Garden : A Practical Gardening Guide
Dry Climate Gardening With Succulents : The Huntington Botanical Gardens

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