how about this one

Here is a link that might be useful: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agave_tequilana

Are you planning on moving? Unless I'm missing something, Agaves are container plants in zone 5b, so the slower, the better. A. sisalana is a very fast grower. It's also quite tender and reaches 6' - 8' across. In general, the fastest growing Agaves are large and tropical. Hardier, smaller Agaves more suitable for container culture tend to be slower. A broad generalization, of course.

Agave americana is faster than them all... and more prolific (leaving suckers all over the place). I find Agave vilmoriniana very fast, too.. .and very short-lived. I had an agave vilmoriniana bulbil flower 6 years later- started out about 10x smaller than my blue glow and outpaced it in just 4 years... bloomed two years later.

Thanks, everyone.

GermanStar, my parents live in Sun City, AZ, so I look at ALL the plants, even the ones I can't grow outdoors up by me! :) I help my mom with her plants when I visit, so I like to get a small head's up before I go, then I can help her pick out plants.

Nancy

For Sun City, the main thing to keep on top of would be sun tolerance. Many Agaves will not tolerate, or at least not thrive in full sun in the VOTS. So if you're going Agave shopping and looking for additions to the middle of the yard, that's the big thing. And you can't take folks working at the nursery's word for it. They're no better than 50% in regard to getting IDs right, let alone cultivation info.

As examples, A. 'Blue Glow' can take a lot of sun when acclimated, but not full sun. A. sisalana can take full sun, though they are a tad tender and would benefit from locating in a warmer than average spot.

Hi Nancy,

As Geoff mentioned, Agave americana is quite the pupper. Here's mine (I think it was ID'd by German Star, thank you), but in the summer it's irrigated several times a week. The thing throws more pups than a boshintang restaurant. It's a lovely blue/grey/green beast. I've not seen a faster-growing one, but I defer to others with far more Agave knowledge than mine. I sent Tom T. a pup earlier this year - it may be the size of a capybara now.

{{gwi:524293}}

You're very welcome to a pup or three if your mom doesn't have it already.

This post was edited by cactusmcharris on Fri, Apr 26, 13 at 11:21

Tell me that you are not growing this in inner BC!

I am too. Doesn't that look like the Southern Interior?

How do you get it through your winter?

Mara,

With my stupendous growing powers contained in The Golden Secateurs, of course.

Speaking of a mess, I'm just messin' wit ya - that's not far from Mesa, AZ. The very same place where I packed and addressed the book I sent you.

Somehow (and I don't think it's early senility) I'm feeling very Groundhog Dayish.

This post was edited by cactusmcharris on Fri, Apr 26, 13 at 15:17

I thought so . It did not look like that gorgious bear ridden driveway that I have seen photos of.

Nearly all Agaves are monocarpic--they bloom once, then die. Fast growers bloom then die--and then you've got a big dead plant to dig out, or to watch sitting there until it dries up enough to be easier to get rid of. The slower the better where Agaves are concerned.

See if you can find the Starr book on Agaves, Agaves: Living Sculptures For Landscapes And Containers. Lots of details on growth and which species to plant in which areas. Many species can't handle low-desert conditions without some shade.

Jeff, I could go for an heir and a spare, if they are getting a little obnoxious on you....
I have nothing to offer in return, right now, but I have various plantlets growing, and once they get a little bigger, you're welcome to your choice!

Hoovb, my parents live in a retirement type community.....all there is to do there is to look at plants, alive OR dead! :)

Nancy