When discussing low-water-use plants, it is impossible to ignore Succulents. Besides Cactus, Succulents are probably the most commonly recognized desert plant. I will break the Succulents down into four posts: Agave, Aloe, Yucca and Succulents & Accents.
Agaves are beautiful and formidable plants, typically sporting sharp spikes at the tips. They are nearly always VERY low-water-use plants that need almost no water to survive. Here are some possible choices in Agave to accent your low-water-use landscape:
- Lechuguilla Verde (Agave Buvicurnuta) also known as Cow’w Horn Agave is native to Sonora and Chihuahua. This moderate growing Agave prefers partial sun and is hardy to 20 degrees. Yellow blooms can be found late winter to early spring and it’s reddish brown marginal teeth are highly decorative.
- Mescal Ceniza (Agave Clorata) is native to Sonora. It prefers full sun and is hardy to 15 degrees and has a moderate growth rate. Mescal Ceniza has striking banded leaves, distinctive toothed margins and yellow blooms in the spring.
- Smooth Agave (Agave Desmettiana) is a horticultural selection with very attractive smooth leaf margins. This fast growing plant prefers partial to full shade, is hardy to 25 degrees and blooms bright yellow in the spring.
- Twin-Flowered Agave (Agave Geminiflora) is native to west central Mexico. This fast growing plant likes full to partial sun, is hardy to 25 degrees and blooms yellow in the winter. The symmetrical slender leaves with smooth margins give this Agave the look of an ornamental grass with the VERY low-water-use of an Agave.
- Parry’s Agave (Agave Parryi) is native to Arizona and the Chihuahuan Desert. This slow growing Agave prefers full sun and is hardy to 15 degrees. With distinctive leaf impressions and bright yellow blooms in the summer, this plant is particularly decorative.
- Octopus Agave (Agave Vilmoriniana) is native to northwest Mexico. This plant likes full sun to partial shade, is hardy to 20 degrees and blooms yellow in the spring. The name tells you all you need to know about the appearance of this Agave.
- Weber’s Agave (Agave Weberi) is a horticultural selection that does well in full sun or partial shade, is hardy to 12 degrees and blooms yellow in the spring and summer. You can expect this plant to grow at a moderate rate.
Let me be clear, I am not a horticultural expert. I just know what I like and am able to research what I like. Some of the plants I discuss may not be categorized exactly right but I do the best that I can with my research. Please feel free to correct any mistakes I make and add your own favorites in the comments of these posts.Agave can make a great accent to your Central Phoenix Real Estate’s low-water-use landscape.
To order brochures with more information on the right low-water-use plants for you, contact the City of Phoenix:
March 10, 2008 at 9:05 am
If you like the structural element that Agaves provided, take a look at Agave ‘Spot’. Heronswood Nursery began offering it this year. Great Color and it’s hardy to zone 6 too!
March 13, 2008 at 9:54 am
When you buy a new home you rush to the box store for plantings and add them and they are beautiful and then the watering and fertilizing begin.
Thank you so much for reminding people to use eco friendly alternatives. Drought tolerant plants and local plants are the key to a no water yard, no need to hire a person to mow or spend your weekends in the yard.
Many communities promote zeroscape using rocks and plants such as this. We really do need to go to this option and it can be beautiful. In Florida a yard with white rocks 3/4 of the yard and choice plants with a spanish style house is stunning.
I much rather spend my time at the beach than mowing and triming grass wouldn’t you. In Florida the yardwork far exceeds what one can imagine. I lived up north and you mowed your lawn like once a month in the summer and it always looked ok. Here it can look bad in 3-4 days and rainy season even sooner.