A Plant Worth Risking Public Embarrassment For

Name:‘Silver Surfer’ agave (Agave americanassp.protoamericana ‘Silver Surfer’)

Zones:7b–9

Size:5 human foot improbable and 8 feet wide

shape : Full sun ; well - drained dirt

Native range : Mexico

A few year ago my neighbors casually announced at a summertime backyard barbeque that they had control me in my pyjama and slipper trying to put bubble wrap around some plant in mid - December while it was begin to snow . Last year , I took it a step further and donned a pass lamp because it was dark and I had to protect my ‘ Silver Surfer ’ agave no matter what . give thanks goodness no one thought to pull out a cellular telephone telephone and snap a shaft to post on social media .

I bought this amazing plant life on a garden tour in Oregon five years ago because I had always wanted one and justhad to have it . We all know what that feels like . Our climatein the Pacific Northwest is not well suited for succulents that thrive in arid , desert - like environs . But , I think , my menage has a porch with an 8 - fundament overhang facing south , idealistic for keeping succulents out of the winter rainfall and therefore ward off rot .

For the first two years , my coveted agave lived happily at this emplacement in its small green goddess . By the third twelvemonth , though , it had double in size of it , and I no longer could get near it ( due to its spiked silver swords ) , so I make up one’s mind it need to go into the reason . I chose a position in my garden where it would get all - day sun , then call a few garden friendsI roll in the hay would not laugh at me and asked for their advice . They all read to mix two bags of gravel into the soil where I planned to plant ‘ Silver Surfer ’ . It has survived three winter now , and I plan to keep running out in my pajama for as long as I can to keep it active . It is thriving and now producing young works all around its base .

I know on a favourite walker walk of life in my neighbourhood , and there are many admirers of the American aloe who commentevery bounce about how glad they are to see that it survived another winter . I ’m not sure climate change is on my side , but either way , care for this American aloe has contribute me great garden joyfulness , making it totally worth the splurge .

The Expert : Stacie Crooksis the owner and principal designer at Crooks Garden Design in Seattle .

From Fine horticulture # 193

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