Family Asparagaceae
Originating from Northeast Mexico’s Highlands.
- Wide, silver-grey leaves form a bold, evergreen rosette-shaped mound.
- Brilliant sharkskin-like leaves are the main attraction until a 5m tall flower spike is produced after many years.
- An easy to grow succulent given simple preparation of its planting site in full sun.
The Whale’s Tongue Agave in Your Garden
A juggernaut rosette of wide, silver-grey leaves makes an imposing yet geometrically elegant specimen. Like a heavy metal waterlily flower, its layered silver foliage is beautifully arranged, yet fearsomely armed with spines and a terminal spike. Despite this, their icy luster has an irresistible beauty for thrill-seeking gardeners.
This succulent is hardy in southern and coastal UK gardens if given excellent drainage at its roots. Reaching 1m high and 1.5m wide in 10–20 years, it thrives with plenty of moisture in the summer, yet needs gritty, bone-dry soil in winter. Amongst the drought tolerant succulent plants available to waterwise gardeners in the UK, this epic species is one of the most beautiful.
Patient gardeners in Suffolk’s maritime climate can expect a truly spectacular flowering event after many years. Multitudes of golden flowers are borne on a gigantic flower spike up to 5m tall . Norfolk’s gravel gardens graced by this event enjoy many months of pollinator-attracting blooms. Sadly, this signals the plant’s death, although pups are produced around the base of the exhausted flowering rosette.
Growing Tips for Your Oval-leaved Agave
- Soil and Sun: Plant in well-drained, gritty soil. Full sun is key for optimal growth and silver leaf colouration.
- Planting: Set in spring or summer. Create an area of free draining soil 50cm all around and below its rootball. Add rubble, pea shingle, and sand, leaving only 50% or less soil in the mix. Water frequently whilst establishing during summer.
- Watering: Regular watering during hot, dry summers results in rapid growth, although it will grow steadily in drought conditions. Do not water from mid-autumn to late spring.
- Pruning: Using a serrated blade, such as an old bread knife, or a saw, remove occasional dead leaves at the base of the rosette. Wear stout hide gloves and eye protection.
Many drought tolerant succulent plants grow in desert or high-altitude habitats. They are able to root deeply to find water, whilst their surface roots do not encounter soaking wet soil. Simple preparation of their planting sites in full sun, described above, makes their inclusion in UK garden planting schemes possible.
Planting Ideas for Agave ovatifolia
Celebrate the silvery shark-like foliage of this fantastic species. Plant other brilliant, bright plants around it to create a shimmering visage. Nolina nelsonii, yellow-flowered Hesperaloe, Puya alpestris, and Yuccas thompsoniana, rigida, filamentosa, and linearifolia create a community of architectural delights.
Add Kniphofia caulescens, Eryngiums bourgatii and agavifolium, and Erigeron karvinskianus for a floral, Mediterranean-style flourish. Echium pininana adds its spectacular, towering flowers to back the composition. Euphorbias wulfenii and epithymoides ‘Senior’, and Oenotheras ‘Whirling Butterflies’ and ‘Gaudi Red’, add soft mounds of colour.
