A whale of a great agave
I consider this ‘Whale’s Tongue’ agave (Agave ovatifolia ) to be the anchor of my front garden. Amid a sea of fine-textured plants like Mexican oregano, bulbine, rock penstemon, narrowleaf zinnia, and skullcap, the broad paddles of its blue-green leaves keep the whole design afloat.
Up close you notice the sharp spines tipping each cupped leaf, and the curved teeth along the margins. This Whale isn’t a killer, but it can bite.
Its blue-green color complements everything, even orange bulbine.
Its architectural form provides a modernist touch in a cottage garden like mine.
Though my garden art proves I’ll never get into pure abstraction.
If you’d like to save one of these whales in your own garden, be advised that it requires good drainage and a sunny spot, although in Austin’s hot climate it might actually prefer filtered shade in the afternoon (mine sails along in afternoon sun, however). Its size can range from 2-5 feet tall by 3-6 feet across, depending on whether it gets extra water. Native to the mountains of northeastern Mexico, it withstands freezes and drought.
All material © 2006-2008 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
The agave is such an exotic plant! The shape, texture, colour … amazing. I wish it would grow here… /Katarina
I think there must be some agaves that would work for you, Katarina. Do you know what U.S. growing zone you’re in? I know there are agaves suitable for colder climates, provided they have excellent drainage. —Pam
Beautiful, Pam. Like Katarina, it cannot grow here either, but your photos let us savor its unique qualities. It suits the climate of your Texas cottage garden perfectly, and then there’s that bulbine that makes me weak in the knees!
Frances
Thanks, Frances. I know you could grow bulbine in Tennessee, though only as an annual. But it would bloom nonstop, all summer long. —Pam
Pam: I love the way it is floating behind the bulbine! I don’t believe I can grow either so thanks for their introductions.
It floats only if you look at it on your knees, Layanee, but thanks! Perspective is everything, isn’t it? —Pam
I like how the scalloped edge on the garden art echoes the shape of the agave.
That’s exactly the echo I was going for. Well, that and the color. And the sun-worshipping nature of the agave. —Pam
That is a beautiful, dramatic plant – wonderful color, texture, and leaf shape and size.
Isn’t it? Thanks for sharing the agave love. —Pam
A very interesting plant, Pam, and it looks great with the bulbine – a nice blend of textures. It has a wonderful shape.
Thanks, Kerri. That has been a happy pairing. —Pam
What a wonderful agave. I wish I had a whale in my garden. I could provide good drainage but
our winters can be very severe. I think the whale is so architectural. As you say that color
is a neutral and goes with most everything. Definitely a keeper.
The name is half the fun, don’t you think? Yep, I won’t be throwing this one back. —Pam
I have an agave but mine has more slender tentacles. It seems to suffer from freeze damage. The ends of the tentacles turn black and rot off.
You mention tentacles. Is it the squid agave? I have that one too. —Pam
Like that second photo a lot–I love the way you can see teeth marks on the new leaves of many agaves as their older leaves unfold. 🙂
Me too. The shadowing is so beautiful. —Pam
What an amazing plant ! .. I am facinated by them .. they are beautiful and that hue of green blue, wonderful. I only wish I could grow them as well. I have to make do with the smaller scale houseplants to feed my fantasy of them. Gorgeous pictures !
Joy
Sometimes smaller can be better, Joy. Agaves here in Austin often outgrow their garden space and become spiky hazards. —Pam
What a great agave. I haven’t been a fan of them before but am starting to open up to them. Your whale agave is gorgeous. I would love to have one in my future yard when I have the space for that beast.
It took me a little while to come around to agaves too. Tom Spencer’s agave page was the catalyst for my current fascination with them. —Pam
I love this agave of yours. Why is it the ones we love aren’t prolific while the ones we only tolerate make pups like crazy. Sigh.
If you’re talking about the pup-throwing variegated agave you gave me, I actually love that one too. I suppose if it makes a bid to take over my garden I may change my mind, though. —Pam
Oh, it’s definitely killer! *drool*
It’s a beauty, isn’t it? Glad you enjoyed the pics, Kim. —Pam
I’ve always admired this in your garden. Let me know if you ever have free puppies to give away! Alas, I see Melissa above commented that they are no prolific. Oh well, perhaps just admiring from afar…
Bonnie, I’d be happy to share, but this agave does not offset pups (which is one of the things I like about it). However, I’ll be glad to share a variegated agave pup with you as soon as I see another one coming up. Which should be about every 10 minutes. —Pam
No mine is not the squid. I don’t remember what it is. It looks almost exactly like your whale, except for the shape of the “leaves.” I will post a picture of it soon.
I’m anxious to see some of these agave “pups” you all talk about. Maybe one of your other agaves has some pups I can see? I’m completely unfamiliar with agave, except as a houseplant, so I’m looking forward to seeing one “in person”.
I recently separated and potted up all the variegated agave pups and gave them away. I do still have one in the greenhouse, which you can see when you come. It’s just a baby agave. I don’t know why they’re called pups, though it does make them sound kind of cute. Perhaps MSS’s agaves will still be flush with pups when you visit her garden. —Pam
I love, love, LOVE this agave! Why can’t I find it? I MUST add one to my collection. Do you happen to know the botanical name for it? And have the BEST time next week!
It’s Agave ovatifolia, Germi. I hope you can find it for your collection. It’s a beauty. —Pam