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Boutique agaves: Low-water plants for your patio pots

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Say ‘agave’ and most people think of Agave americana, the century plant, which can range from 6 to 12 feet around when mature. But gardeners actually have hundreds of choices, and some of the most interesting are boutique agaves — petite selections that work well in patio pots and small gardens. Read our full story, and you’ll learn about the agave Joe Hoak, centerpiece of the pot pictured at top, which has 2-foot green, cream and yellow leaves. There’s also the Queen Victoria agave, Agave victoriae-reginae, shown top right, and the gypsum century plant, Agave gypsophila, shown lower right, whose silvery leaves twist and curl.

Pictured at bottom left: Quadricolor, a type of Agave lophantha. Its dark green leaves have pale yellow edges and a center stripe of light green. Spikes are dark red. And at bottom right: Blue Glow, a popular hybrid with fiery-edged foliage. We’ve got suggestions on where to buy boutique agaves after the jump, but for the full range of selections, descriptions and advice on planting and care, please check out our story.

-- Debra Lee Baldwin

Where can you find boutique agaves? Some sources to start, listed in alphabetical order:

Cactus and Succulent Society clubs hold sales throughout Southern California. California Cactus Center in Pasadena, (626) 795-2788. California Nursery Specialties’ Cactus Ranch in Reseda, (818) 894-5694. Desert Theater Nursery in Escondido (by appointment only), (760) 594-2330. Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino holds plant sales in May and October, (626) 405-2100. Rancho Soledad Nurseries in Rancho Santa Fe, (858) 756-3717. Roger’s Gardens in Corona del Mar, (877) 476-4377. Starr Nursery in Tucson (mail order), (520) 743-7052.

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