The Best Variegated Agaves for the Southwest

These stunning plants are easy to care for and add instant drama to the landscape

When it come to sculptured soma in the garden , it ’s hard to contend with a well - grow agave ( Agavespp . and cvs . , Zones 7b–11 ) . With sizes ranging from 6 - inch rosettes to loom 12 - foot giants , there really is a pure plant for every garden orcontainer . Most are striking enough in their natural tone of green toblue , but some have raise the bar a bit higher , adding high spot of white and gold to the palette .

diversification normally appear as a luck mutation among seedlings , or at times in fresh pups or even tissue - cultured plants . How this develops as works ripen can vary a lot , but in endogen like century plant the chlorophyll will usually be reduced in linear pattern along the edges or down the center of the parting , and sometimes with irregular variation between the airfoil and thick leaf tissue . These impression can be striking — and rare , resulting in some astonishing Mary Leontyne Price . However , some anatomy have been around for decennium and are exceed along at reasonable cost with little fanfare , but they are no less utilitarian in the landscape . Here are a few of my favorite variegated agaves that suit a variety of atmospheric condition and always tot up a unique highlight to the garden .

Agaves at a glance

A few basic requirements are shared by all members of this genus .

Century agave

( Agave americanavar.marginata)Zones:8–11bSize : Up to 10 foot tall and 12 feet wide ( less in containers )

The leaves on young plant are mostly square but can originate sinuate curves as the plants suppurate . This is a striking specimen in a fix with backlighting . wait one C agave to freely bring forth pup ( young offset plant ) .

‘Arizona Star’ Weber agave

( Agave weberi‘Arizona Star’)Zones:8b–10bSize : Up to 5 feet tall and 8 understructure broad

This is a “ friendly ” agave with unarmed leaf edges , which is unusual for such a large species . This is another astonishing specimen in a location with backlighting . you may count on it get a moderate figure of pup .

‘Orca’ whale tongue agave

( Agave ovatifolia‘Orca’)Zones:7b–10Size : Up to 3 feet tall and 6 fundament wide

Wide blue leaves with striking creamy white-livered margins form robust , stout rose window on this plant . Of moderate pinnacle , it nevertheless is an unbelievable focal point in a succulent garden . A drawback is that it very seldom produces any pups .

‘Ivory Curls’ gypsum agave

( Agave gypsophila‘Ivory Curls’)Zones:9b–11 ( needs protection from frost)Size : Up to 3 feet tall and wide

take down for its ghostly blueish - green foliage accentuate with undulating cream margins , “ Ivory Curls ’ looks particularly good in a container . Over metre it will produce pups nearby .

‘Crème Brulee’ agave

( Agave guiengola‘Crème Brulee’)Zones:9–11Size : Up to 3 foundation tall and 4 feet wide

These leaves are broad and are few in act than those of most agave species , create an opened starfish effect . The cream to yellow-bellied margin can occasionally have pink tones as well , with little sullen tooth . This agave pups easily .

‘Quadricolor’ agave

( Agave lophantha‘Quadricolor’)Zones:8–10bSize:18 inches wide and 24 in tall

Toothy shining gold edges contrast with grass green on these foliage , with a lighter stripes down each nerve center . This coinage is come upon in container and puppy profusely .

Queen Victoria agaves

( Agave victoria - reginaecvs.)Zones:9–10bSize : Up to 12 inches improbable and 14 inches all-encompassing ( very slow turn )

There are many variegated forms of Queen Victoria agave , both gold and snowy , with some quite rare and prized by collectors . ‘ White Rhino ’ seems to be the current “ holy grail . ” The flora all shape heavy and sturdy mounds with a terrific geometric form . This metal money is dense to age but produces pups freely , specially when confined to tight containers .

‘Sunspot’ agave

( Agave parryisubsp.neomexicana‘Sunspot’)Zones:5b–10bSize : Up to 12 inches magniloquent and 24 column inch wide

This is the hardiest variegated American aloe for chillier zone . Its cream margins ( most pronounced in secure Lord’s Day ) with black teeth and terminal acantha are striking in rock ‘n’ roll garden and frigid desert landscape . Pups appear at a moderate pace . Good drain is substantive .

Butterfly agave

( Agave potatorumand cvs.)Zones:9–11a ( protect from frost)Size:14 inches tall and 16 column inch wide

Many forms of butterfly agave exist and are prized by collectors . ‘ Kissho Kan ’ ( pictured ) is compact and extremely textured , with scalloped leaf margins highlighted in emollient / gold and edge with ruddy tooth . Any butterfly agave is a perfect container specimen that will develop pups readily .

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Dan Johnson lives and gardens in Denver and in Tucson , Arizona . He is an associate director of horticulture for the Denver Botanic Gardens .

picture : Dan Johnson

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