Agave montana/Aloe polyphylla on site and looking sweet
August 07, 2007I've had these for a little while now, but it is worth mentioning here that I have available plants of the Queen of all Agaves; Agave montana. I believe this is the first time this relatively recently described Mexican high altitude (over 3000m) species has ever been offered for sale in the UK. It is truly and undeniably an outstandingly beautiful plant, whether you are into succulents or not, and should prove to be one of the easiest of Agaves to grow permanently outside here. My babies deserve to be grown on to a reasonable size first before planting out in their final positions, but judging by their rate of growth that shouldn't take too long... Read more about this plant in my expedition travelogues.
Some pics from its mountain habitat to illustrate its natural variability. These old plants are larger than you may imagine, being many feet across:
Along similar lines, and equally gorgeous and exciting to lovers of the simple form, is Aloe polyphylla, also available now at PGP (we are the only source listed in the 07/08 RHS Plantfinder). This is the fabled 'Spiral Aloe', forming, in time, a substantial single rosette of perfect spiral form.
This very high altitude beauty is endangered due to over-collection of medium age plants by unscrupulous individuals in its mountain kingdom of Lesotho, South Africa, where it inhabits a land of relatively cool moist summers and cold winters. Unusual for a succulent this plant appreciates a reasonably constant supply of water to the root, even in winter, which, allied to its obvious hardiness credentials, makes it a good candidate for trying outside in a reasonably sheltered, preferably raised bed in the UK. I know of several specimens, in the hands of plantsmen both here and in the Netherlands, growing strongly outside, flowering most years, and reaching up to 75cm wide. A truly marvelous sight.
Here's Dr Rob Senior's plant standing about 60cm in diameter:
Posted on August 07, 2007 at 12:24 AM
Comments
Post a comment
Thanks for signing in, . Now you can comment. (sign out)
(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)