Quadricolor Agave
A compact, variegated agave (Agave lophantha ‘Quadricolor’) with narrow, toothed leaves displaying dark green bands, a pale green center, and creamy yellow margins that can blush pink or red in cool weather. Special Features Striking multicolored foliage, seasonal pink-red highlights, drought tolerance, and abundant offsets. Problems & Solutions Overwatering and poor drainage cause rot; let […]
Quick Silver Agave
A sculptural agave with broad, arching, silvery blue-green leaves forming an open rosette. Leaf margins are mostly smooth, but each leaf ends in a sharp terminal spine. Special Features Silvery foliage, graceful leaf shape, drought tolerance, and mostly toothless leaf margins; useful as a softer-looking desert accent. Problems & Solutions Harsh afternoon sun can scorch […]
Red Yucca
A tough desert perennial with arching, narrow leaves edged in curling white fibers and tall stalks of tubular flowers; not a true yucca. Special Features Heat and drought tolerant; attracts hummingbirds; low maintenance; fibrous leaf margins without the sharp marginal teeth of many agaves. Problems & Solutions Root or crown rot in wet soil: improve […]
Tall Lady Slipper
Tall lady slipper (Pedilanthus bracteatus, now Euphorbia bracteata) is an upright succulent shrub native to Mexico, with slender green stems, small leaves, and unusual slipper-shaped flower bracts. Special Features Sculptural vertical form; heat and drought tolerant once established; flowers attract hummingbirds. Problems & Solutions Overwatering can cause root rot; ensure excellent drainage. Frost can damage […]
Tangerine Aloe
A compact, clumping hybrid aloe generally sold as Aloe ‘Tangerine’, with fleshy, toothed leaves and showy tangerine-orange flowers. Special Features Drought tolerant once established; hummingbird-attracting flowers; produces offsets that expand the clump. Problems & Solutions Root rot from excess moisture: improve drainage and allow drying between waterings. Summer sunburn: provide afternoon shade. Frost damage: cover […]
Variegated Weber Agave
A large, architectural agave with broad, arching blue-green leaves edged in creamy yellow. Leaves have small marginal teeth and a sharp terminal spine. Special Features Bold variegation; excellent heat and drought tolerance once established; striking architectural form. Problems & Solutions Agave snout weevil can cause sudden collapse; monitor for wilting or a loose crown and […]
Variegated Century Agave
Large, architectural agave with arching blue-green leaves edged in creamy yellow, prominent marginal teeth, and sharp terminal spines. Special Features Bold variegation; excellent heat and drought tolerance once established; produces offsets; flowers attract pollinators. Problems & Solutions Agave snout weevil can cause fatal collapse; inspect for sudden wilting or basal decay and promptly remove infested […]
Variegated Smooth Edge Agave
Agave desmettiana ‘Variegata’ forms graceful rosettes of arching green leaves edged in golden yellow. Leaf margins are nearly smooth, but each leaf ends in a sharp terminal spine. Special Features Bold golden variegation; graceful, relatively smooth-edged foliage; drought tolerant once established; produces offsets. Problems & Solutions Harsh afternoon sun can scorch leaves; provide afternoon shade. […]
Yemen Brown Aloe
A succulent sold as Aloe ‘Yemen Brown’, valued for fleshy, toothed leaves that develop bronze-brown tones in bright light. Nursery descriptions and hybrid parentage are not consistently documented. Special Features Bronze foliage coloration; drought tolerance once established; tubular flowers attractive to hummingbirds. Problems & Solutions Overwatering can cause root rot; provide excellent drainage. Phoenix afternoon […]
Yucca Baccata (Banana Yucca)
Large clumping yucca native to the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts with stiff, spine-tipped blue-green leaves. Produces large cream-colored flower clusters in spring followed by fleshy edible fruit. Extremely drought and cold tolerant. Special Features Edible fleshy fruit; pollinated by yucca moths; provides wildlife food and habitat; extremely drought and cold tolerant Problems & Solutions Sharp […]