Botanical Name: Agave deserti
Common Name: Desert agave Type of Plant: monocot: perennial Character evergreen Habit of Growth: Overall Shape a low-growing, clumping plant, often forming large colonies in its native habitat; distinctive silvery gray stiff fleshy leaves are crowded in rosette pattern on mostly subterranean stems Height 1' - 2' Spread 3' - 6' Growth Rate slow Environment: Exposure outdoors requires full sun; grows very poorly in shaded locations Soil prefers loose sandy or rocky habitats; avoid wet clay Hardiness hardy (zones 12-23): thrives in hot dry inland areas Morphology: Leaves succulent, triangular or lanceolate, sharp-pointed, arranged in mostly upright basal rosette fashion; silver-gray to grayish green, stiff, 5"-10"(15") long; margins lined with straight or curved pale prickles Flowers yellow, 1 1/2"-2" long, produced on showy flower stalk 6"-15" tall; May - July Fruit a capsule; 1"-2" long Propagation: seed Usage: a distinctive small accent shrub or low filler, valued for its overall clumping form and silvery gray foliage; rock gardens, desert or subtropical landscape styles Landscape Care: Watering extremely drought-tolerant; an occasional deep soak in summer promotes a more succulent appearance Fertilizing none Pruning none; older plants will develop flower stalks and then die (only that portion of plant which produced the stalk) Pests/Diseases root rot diseases in poorly-drained areas Special Conditions/Other Origin: Colorado Desert and Southern Mojave Family: Agavaceae Notes: |
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