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JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University
Agavaceae
Agave parryi ssp. neomexicana
New Mexico Century Plant, Parry's Agave
The tight blue-hued rosettes of this compact Agave have unmatched symmetry and are great for smaller garden spaces. New Mexico century plant is native to the mountains and dry washes of Mexico and extends northward into the dry desert regions of Texas and New Mexico.
The wide fleshy leaves narrow towards the top and end with a sharp black tip. Most agaves produce offsets around their base but this one is reluctant to do so, making propagation time consuming and plants more expensive. But no other offers such tidy rounded colorful rosettes for desert landscapes.
This Agave blooms at about fifteen years of age and sends up a single tall spire topped branches covered with bright yellow flowers. These fragrant blooms are visited by many forms of desert wildlife including bats.
Agave grow best in infertile porous soil with sharp drainage. This small tidy variety is equally as suited to containers, but it will not achieve its greatest size when pot-grown. Marked cold hardiness and extreme drought resistance has made this species one of the most coveted in low desert landscapes.
12 - 5
7 - 12
H1, H2, 2b, 3a, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Cactus or Succulent
Full Sun, Partial Sun
18"-22" / 45.7cm - 55.9cm
30"-36" / 76.2cm - 91.4cm
Summer
Southwestern United States, Mexico
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Well Drained
Loam, Sand
Drought
Medium
Xeric/Desert, Drought Tolerant
Clump-Forming
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Showy
Light Yellow, Ivory
Brown, Sandy Brown
Blue Green, Gray Green, Gray
Gray Green, Gray
Yes
No
Single
Bold
Matte
Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall
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