Agaves are an amazing group of plants that add bold texture and subtle color to the landscape. With formidable spikes and leaves with serrated edges they demand a bit of respect and a whole lot of caution when planting but once established they are some of the lowest maintenance plants to be found in the garden. Some, like Agave Americana are massive! As in the size of a baby elephant when mature so be sure to keep the size when full grown in mind when selecting one for your landscape. The five agave highlighted below are some of my go to favorites for their manageable size and unique aesthetic.

Whale's Tongue Agave V.jpg — **Whale Tongue Agave**

*Agave ovatifolia*
Size: 3’ tall x 5’ wide
USDA Zone: 7-11
Photo Credit: Verdi

Whale Tongue Agave, one of the largest listed here, reaches 3 feet tall and 5 feet wide. With an open form that shows off the wide “whale tongue” leaves, it demands attention in any garden bed. The gray color pairs well with yellow flowering native plants like New Gold Lantana, Lantana x 'New Gold' or Calylopus, Calylophus berlandieri.

Agave parryi ssp. truncata WG.jpg — **Artichoke Agave**

*Agave parryi var. truncata*
**Size:** 3’ tall x 5’ wide
USDA Zone: 6-9
Photo Credit: Walters Gardens, Inc

The silvery-blue Artichoke Agave has a closed growth form much like the artichoke that gives it its name. It is listed at about the same size as the Whale Tongue Agave but with a slower growth habit it will take it much longer to reach its full potential. I often pair Artichoke Agave with low growing Mexican Sedum, Sedum mexicanum or Lemon Thyme, Thymus x citriodorus.

Queen Victoria Agave starts out as an open rosette but matures to a tight ball of spikes. It is usually found at the nursery at a smaller size so I typically plant these in groups of three or more so the plants stand out in the garden while they take their time maturing. It’s bright green color and smaller size make it best used as a stand alone plant or plant group.

**Blue Glow Agave**

*Agave 'Blue Glow'*
Size: 18” tall x 24” wide
USDA Zone: 8-11
Photo Credit: Verdi

These strikingly beautiful, compact agave only reach a foot and a half tall and two feet wide. The bright red to orange stripe along the leaf edge contrasts dramatically with the blue-green foliage. These beauties work well as a stand alone container plant or mixed with low gray ground covers like Wooly Stemodia, Stemodia lanata or Silver Ponyfoot, Dichondra argentea.

Ferdinand Agave 2 V.jpg — **Ferdinand Agave**

*Agave ferdinandi-regis*
Size: 18” tall x 18” wide
USDA Zone: 8-10
Photo Credit: Verdi

The leaves on the Ferdinand Agave look like they have been carved from stone. With smooth edges and a small spike on the end of each leaf this is the tamest of the agave on the list. With its steely green foliage it works well as a stand alone plant in gravel beds or as a focal point in the xeric landscape.

These are a few of my favorites and the ones I often choose for my clients but there are many wonderful agave varieties to pick from. I encourage you to throw on some thick gloves and protective eye gear and find one or two to plant in your own garden.