From the desert scene, the agave is reversed when it comes to sculptural character and beauty — and it has a bonus culinary price. Native to the Southwest United States and Mexico, agaves typically thrive in climates like those found there: hot and dry. This poses a problem for many locales.

Agave parryi is a problem solver and a landscape gem. Its streamlined spread will not dominate planting beds, and its glaucous green leaves are genus standouts. Cold hardy to nearly 0 degrees Fahrenheit, it is a stunning succulent that will survive climates colder than that of San Diego or Scottsdale, Arizona.

More great design plants

David de la Luz

Botanical name: Agave parryi
Common names: Parry’s agave, mescal, Parry agave
USDA zones: 5 to 9
Water requirement: Small to none once established
Light requirement:Full sun to partial shade
Mature size: 11/2 to 3 feet tall and broad
Tolerances and environmental advantages: Drought tolerant, cold hardy

Distinguishing traits. It’s simple to see how compact and clean A. parryi got its nickname”artichoke agave.” Dusty blue leaves offer a cooling foliage transparency to their usually dry and arid native landscape. Wide, fleshy leaves are topped and edged with sharp black spines, which makes the plant particularly beautiful but potentially posing a picture threat. Simply site the plant from arm’s reach if that is a concern.

Contrary to popular belief, agaves do blossom more often than once every hundred years — even though not much more frequently. The plant will create a sizable central stalk when nearing 20 years old, growing up to 15 feet tall with yellow and pink blossoms. The plant will die once it has finished flowering, as most of its energy was directed toward this huge blossom. A. parryi spreads through suckers, forming subsequent agave colonies that will continue to grow when the parent plant dies.

How to use it. Shown here from the Huntington Desert Garden in San Marino, California, alongside Golden Barrel Cactus, Agave parryi var. Truncata has a stiff structure and extreme color. Use it like an elegant desert specimen, bunch several together or just showcase it at a patio planter.

The Plant Man Nursery

A. parryi and a Euphorbia cultivar complement each other’s unique attributes through contrast. Utilize A. parryi to produce your bright plants seem brighter or their feel look finer.

Planting notes. Native to regions in Arizona and northern Mexico, A. parryi is one of the very cold-hardy species of the agaves, providing gardeners in other regions the chance to grow these living desert sculptures.

Partial to gravelly and rocky climates, A. parryi thrives in well-drained soil and is tolerant of high elevations. It grows in full sun and partial shade. As with most agaves, there is relatively no additional maintenance required once it is established. To prevent root root, do not overwater. Be sure to remove the dead parent plant once it is done flowering so the successive colonies will continue growing.

More great design crops:
Euphorbia | Red-Leafed Mukdenia | Blue Chalk Sticks | Hens-and-Chicks
Redtwig Dogwood | Toyon

Great design trees:
Australian Tea Tree | Dove Tree | Bald Cypress | Chinese Witch Hazel | Japanese Maple Manzanita | Persian Ironwood | Smoke Tree | Texas Mountain Laurel | Tree Aloe

Great design flowers:
Ornamental Allium | Canna Lily | Catmint | Golden Creeping Jenny | Pacific Coast Iris
Plumbago | Red Kangaroo Paw | Sally Holmes Rose | Slipper Plant | Snake Flower

Great design grasses:
Black Mondo Grass | Cape Rush | Feather Reed Grass | New Zealand Wind Grass

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