Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Hesperaloe parviflora




I have had this grass like (Agave family) plant for many years, growing it in a small pot and not paying it much attention but this month, despite the neglect, it sent up a flower spike which slowly changed colour from a powder pink to salmon as the buds came out into the small tubular flowers. It is a native of northern Mexico and the Rio Grande area of Texas and apparently is much favoured in xeriscaped gardens of Arizona and New Mexico. The leaves are interesting also as they are quite stiff and gutter shaped and have a fray of fibres on the edge.In the garden it will form a clump to about 60cm, with the flower stem reaching 1.2 metres. It tolerates cold to minus 15C. and can be propagated by seed in autumn.
2017 update: I have a couple of plants available but it is a very slow grower.

2 comments:

  1. Ian...You might say it sent up a red flag ~ saying "Look at me." Great look against the wall; much like a Georgia O'Keefe painting!

    Handsome gardening helper, also.

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  2. This is beautiful agave/flower is proof that simple is always best.
    Very nice.

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