Agave franzosinii
I love how big and ghostly it is. I would need to clear a place for it to grow since I don't currently have a 20' wide area that is open. It's so beautiful that I would want to be able to see it though. I was thinking that I could plant a young one above the house amidst the jade grove and just remove more jade as the franz got bigger.
There are some big agaves that have twisted leaves like a franz near my friend Bill. Maybe I could ask the homeowner if I can trade them something for an offset.
Agave mapisaga var. lisa
As much as I love the franzosinnii, it's really only a consolation prize for this plant which is described as the largest agave. There is a famous one at the Huntington, which in my memory is 40' across, but in reality is probably only half that. Which is still huge.
I don't have space for such a giant and there aren't any available anywhere. The Huntington's newsletter says that there may be some at the LA Zoo but it's all just rumors. I should start working my contacts at the zoo. Who knows, in 20 years an offset may come available...
Agave desmetiana "Joe Hoaks"
This is the photo I took at the Inter-City Show last Summer. The tag at the show called it "Joe Hoal" but San Marcos Growers identifies it as "Joe Hoaks" so that's what I'm going with.
Its minty green and soft variegation seems very sophisticated to me, and since it's a desmetiana it probably offsets a lot which means there should be a lot of them out there. I think I just have to be patient until one crosses my path.
Agave bracteosa 'Mediopicta Alba'
I love all mediopicta albas, but this bracteosa really makes the most of the clean contrast between the colors and the narrow curly leaves. Maybe it could be paired with a variegated marginita to really make your eyes cross.
So...I actually acquired an A. bracteosa ' Mediopicta Alba' at the Cistus parking lot sale last September...for only $3, If it delivers a pup then it's yours! I saw Agave 'Joe Hoak' when I was at San Marcos in 2009 it was absolutely gorgeous and I regret not grabbing it and running!
ReplyDeleteHey Loree, "Joe Hoaks" always makes me think of you.
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed with what you find at Cistus. They seem to have such a great selection at great prices. I feel like we can find many things here in Los Angeles, but if something is rare or large it is usually so expensive.
I like going to Rolling Greens near my office in Culver City because they have such beautiful specimen plants but I think their clientele is rich people and the entertainment industry, so things can get pricey.
California Cactus Center is also a treat because they have the most wild plants, but their prices have sky-rocketed in the last few years.
I think I just need to spend more time on the street like you do, looking out for good deals.