Though they may give the appearance of being unchanging and monumental, agaves are ever in flux, whether it’s bad-leaf days from snail damage or a clean outline marred by a congestion of pups. So when an agave somehow pulls it all together to present a pristine vision of pure agave loveliness it deserves an award. This summer that award goes to Agave desmetiana ‘Variegata.’
This summer you have achieved perfection.
In bestowing this award, perhaps it may induce you into considering possibly postponing flowering, which I have a feeling you’re thinking about doing very soon. After you flower and die retire, it will take one of your pups quite some time to win a Best-Looking Agave award. No, that’s not a threat, just a fact.
Congratulations Mr. Agave desmetiana ‘Variegata’…may I say you truly are deserving of the prize!
Didn’t know Agaves died/retired after flowering.
Somehow I don’t think any of mine will ever flower. Does that mean they’ll live forever?
I fear a pristine Agave is not in my future..this one is fabulous !And hey, is that a Bauer swirl pot up there on that pillar in pic one ?
Loree, I should have added this award extends to my garden only. You saw some amazing, award-worthy agaves on the recent HPSO tour.
Jason, most agaves die after flowering. There’s a word for this performance I should have included: monocarpic.
Sue, that’s an interesting point. A side benefit of overwintering indoors: Neutered agaves!
Kathy, you have amazing Bauer radar. Kept outdoors because it’s probably been dropped and glued back together.
A particularly elegant species.
It totally deserves that award. I have an ovatifolia that is close to deserving such an award too, and like you, I suspect it’s getting close to flowering. Oh bittersweet day!