Also known as mescal agave, this species is a native of Arizona and New Mexico and is more cold hardy than other agaves. It has silver-green heavily toothed leaves that form a handsome rosette 2-4’ wide and produces offsets that create large clumps. The size of the individual plants depends on the water supply so plants can be even larger. Mature plants produce a branched flower stalk 15-20’ high with pink or red buds that open to golden yellow flowers, and then die. The offsets, however, will continue to grow and mature. Parry’s agave are easy to transplant but needs a long warm season to become established so spring planting after the last frost is recommended. Excellent plants for rock gardens and xeroscaping.
Type: Succulent perennial
Bloom: Mature plants produce pink or red buds open to golden yellow flowers.
Foliage: Fleshy silver-blue, heavily toothed leaves form rosette
Size: 2-4’ wide rosette; flower stalks 15-20’ high
Light: Full sun
Soil: Average, very well-drained
Hardiness: Zones 6-11
Pests and Diseases: Scale, mealy bug, agave snout weevil; root rot in wet soil
Propagation: Offsets, seed
Companion plants: Snow-in-Summer (Cerastium tomentosum), banana yucca (Yucca baccata).
Karen Meyers