Century Plant or Agave 2009
When I was growing up in Tucson we called them Century Plants because they only bloomed once after a 100 years, then died. Now today it seems even the small ones bloom.
One of the selling points when I bought my home was besides the view (house was in much need of repairs) was the two Agave plants in the back yard. Two living sculptures.
I was sad when in 2009 I saw the plant sending up a stalk. We figured the plant was about 75 years old. This was one of the tallest blooming stalks I have ever seen.
Beautiful but very sad for me.
2009 Agave
When I was growing up in Tucson we called them Century Plants because they only bloomed once after a 100 years, then died. Now today it seems even the small ones bloom.
One of the selling points when I bought my home was besides the view (house was in much need of repairs) was the two Agave plants in the back yard. Two living sculptures.
I was sad when in 2009 I saw the plant sending up a stalk. We figured the plant was about 75 years old. This was one of the tallest blooming stalks I have ever seen.
Beautiful but very sad for me.
2009 Agave
imprint of the "leafs' on leafs when they peel away
Drawing I just finished for a gardening friend of the stalk and leafs.
It is based in a close up of the second photo. I messed up loading the photos.
And since blogger is working again I didn't want to take a chance !
agave. . . parsnip
music. . . Naming Of Things, Andrew Bird
Hello Gayle:
ReplyDeleteAgave is a wonderful plant which, you may be surprised to know, we cultivated in a container in a conservatory with some success. But of course the plant remained relatively small and never flowered. We very much like your drawing.
Thank You.
DeleteThere are several types of agave in all shapes and sizes. If you can grow palm trees in a conservatory I can see you growing agave.
I like the way you brought out the highlights of agave colors in your drawing. The first time I saw those leaf imprint on the leaves I felt as if I was the first person to ever notice them. I hadn't been around cactus of any kind much. You can just imagine what my phot album must have been filled with. They still fascinate me with such a contrast to the ubiquitous birches and spruce of the subarctic.
ReplyDeleteAlways love to see the Tucson shots especially since we're heading south a little bit later this year.
We are here waiting for your return. It is just starting to cool down.
DeleteI too love the imprints of the leaves.
I too love agaves Parsnip - I love that grey/green colour. Of course, they do not grow here in the UK apart from on the South coast and in people's hothouses. How lucky you are to have them in your garden.
ReplyDeleteThe color is one of my favorites.
DeleteI love them in the garden and as I said it was one of the reasons why I bought the home. I knew they were going die sometime but I hoped they would stay as long as possible.
I use agave or honey to bake with.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Shelly
You see the syrup in every store plus of course the tequila.
DeleteI had a similar plant in my garden but it took up so much space and looked quite wrong in this enviroment so I got rid of it. It looks perfect there.
ReplyDeleteLove the drawing.
I love your garden and yes I think it would look out of place.
DeleteFabulous, such an exotic plant to we of the cold climes! And the drawing is fantatic.
ReplyDeleteWrong plant for you but I love all your trees...
DeleteI think the drawing came out rather nice.
Thank You.
Super drawing, it really is good.
ReplyDeleteThank You. It was fun to sit down and do something creative.
DeleteOk, I am headed for your house to make some tequila!
ReplyDeleteI have the lines, salt and glasses. I'm waiting !
DeleteAgaves are beautiful , sculptural plants. I do like your drawing.
ReplyDeleteThey are truly a living sculpture.
DeleteI think my yard is too small for a century plant, but I sure do enjoy looking at my neighbors' agaves. Your drawing is gorgeous, I love the colors and contrast.
ReplyDeletewe had those century plants, the tips were like daggers though but very pretty. the art is wonderful
ReplyDeletewhereisguddoggiestodayeatingchickenstripandplayingwithsqueekietoys!yert!
smiles, bee
xoxoxoxoxo
A very peculiar plant!
ReplyDelete