The garden in the front of our Florida Home presents special challenges, as it is in full sun and can be very dry. For this reason, it has been home to our collection of AGAVES. These are a family of plants, large and small, from the hot and arid parts of Central and South America. Perhaps their biggest claim-to-fame is their source of juice from which to ferment tequila. Their climate preference makes them suitable for the front garden, including a small plant, “green gem?” With dozens of offshoots in the rock garden by the front walk and a small agave “Speckles” further down the front walk. The centerpiece was a “Century Plant,” Agave Americana, which we planted on the house side of the walk. It grows vigorously, eventually putting up a 30-40 foot fruiting stem, after which it dies. Two problems arose this year due to its rapid growth. First, it is not freeze hardy and became so large it was not possible to put frost covers on it, and several large blades took ugly frost damage. Second, it grew toward the front walk, with its large leaves reaching over the walk, each tipped by a stiletto point, so we were concerned for visitors, especially children, would could be impaled. We therefore had it removed and I replaced it with an Agave Montana, also known as a baccarat agave because of its cut-glass pattern on its blades. It will not grow as large and is much more cold hardy. It too was a caution to plant, with rows of sharp spikes. Agaves are an interesting and low- care addition to the Florida Garden, especially during the long, hot summer.
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