Agaves and echinaceas

December 05, 2007


At the Wildflower Center last weekend, I was drawn to the agaves and their sharp spikes, just as Aurora is drawn to the spindle of Maleficent’s spinning wheel in Sleeping Beauty. But without Maleficent thundering, “Touch it, I say!”
This closeup of the central spiny leaves, furled up tight, was shot from above looking straight down. This spiny beauty certainly doesn’t put me to sleep. But if it’s not your cup of tea, how about some purple coneflower instead?

I relegated the agaves to the background in this photo. Enjoy!
Update: We had a light frost yesterday morning, on the 4th. I didn’t notice it in my own garden, but as I took the kids to school I saw the neighbors’ lawns wore a frosty, white coat. There’s no frost damage in my garden, so far as I’ve seen, and I’d even left out my frost-tender potted plants.

0 responses to “Agaves and echinaceas”

  1. Layanee says:

    Pam: You have been prolific this past week and I have been catching up on all your recent posts! Love the Wildflower center post and you get to rub elbows with your fellow Austin bloggers? That sounds great! The first picture on this post reminded me of a cool pool! I guess they do have a lot of water in them (agaves). As always, lots to learn.
    I guess I have, though I couldn’t find time to get my follow-up post on Blogger done until last night. The holiday season is already creating its demands, isn’t it? Anyway, I’m glad you enjoyed the photos! —Pam

  2. kate says:

    I love Agaves – well, I love all spiky plants. I have some Agaves and have had a few nasty pokes from them. I just can’t imagine growing them outdoors. The Coneflowers look lovely too.
    I hope your plants are fine and didn’t get touched by frost.
    They are perfectly fine, Kate. I swear my garden is in the warmest spot in Austin. I pay for it in the summer but reap the rewards now. Thanks for dropping by. —Pam

  3. Robin says:

    I can’t believe you guys still have echinaceas in bloom. I tried some agave nectar and it’s a pretty good sweetner.
    There are always a few echinaceas in my garden that bloom off and on all winter, which surprises me too. What did you sweeten with agave nectar, Robin? —Pam

  4. Libby says:

    That coneflower and agave photo rocks! I love that mix of hot and cold colors and the fact that the coneflowers petals are drooping downward while the blades of the agave are jutting skyward. Hmmm…I wasnt’ going to put any purple in my front agave/yucca bed, but I may have to reconsider….
    Yes, and the cones on the echinacea are somewhat agave-like, aren’t they? Purple coneflower is really more pink than purple, so maybe that’ll work in your front bed. —Pam

  5. Lisa at Greenbow says:

    Hi Pam, I really like agaves. I have a couple that haven’t been brought inside yet this year. I just don’t have a spot for them right now. I wonder how much cold they can take? I know it gets cold in parts of TX. I just don’t know wo cold they can with stand. I could be a succulent collector if they would survive outside here. I haven’t found many that will survive our winters.
    Lisa, what zone are you in? I did a little online investigation and found a few cold-hardy agaves. From High Country Gardens, there are Agave havardiana, Agave parryi, Agave utahensis, all hardy to Zone 5. From Yucca Do and Plant Delights, I found Agave gracilipes and Agave parryi ssp. truncata , both hardy to Zone 6. Maybe one of these will work for you. —Pam

  6. Robin says:

    So, far I’ve only used the Agave nectar in my coffee. My blood sugar has recently been a little high so I’ve been looking for alternative natural sweeteners.

  7. Bonnie says:

    Sorry I missed the wildflower center get together. Little baby girl has recovered fine from her ear tubes. I saw your note about frost- we didn’t get any here that I noticed. But I can’t believe our weather- back up in the low 80s tomorrow.
    I wish you could have made it too, but I’m glad your daughter is feeling better now. Yes, the low 80s will make it feel summery again, won’t it? Up and down we go. —Pam