Two Yuccas and a Couple of Brave Agaves
The first Yucca, photographed in all its glory on a recent visit to Vassey Nursery, is Yucca filamentosa 'Color Guard,' the sight of which always reminds me of Pam Penick at Digging, the host of Foliage Follow Up each month on the day following Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day. Foliage Follow Up reminds us all of the importance of beautiful foliage in our gardens. Click over to her site to check out foliage posts from garden bloggers around the world!
'Color Guard' is one versatile plant tolerating extremes of heat and drought in Texas and taking the cool soggy conditions in the Pacific Northwest in stride. Looking quite stately in this garden situation, it is equally gorgeous planted singly or with companion plants in pots. Picture this with a nice Verbena like 'Homestead Purple' swirling around at its feet.
Perhaps you'll remember this post from last year where we found this yucca in a pot paired with one of the large purple Alliums. Maybe this picture will help. I just finished potting up my Y. f. 'Color Guard' and threw some allium bulbs in to copy this idea. I only steal from the best! (Thanks Melissa)
The second yucca whose color makes my heart sing is Yucca 'Bright Star' or 'Walbristar'
Here's a puzzle for you: These two yuccas were purchased at the same time, same place, produced by the same grower, were the same size, planted in darned close to identical positions, received the same amount or lack of water. Why do you suppose there is now such a difference in size?
In the middle of the picture is Agave ovatifolia 'Frosty Blue' or Whale's Tongue Agave. I was inspired to try this outside because Louis, who lives quite a bit north of me, has had good luck with this one being hardy in the ground. Pam Penick's posts of her gorgeous specimen may have played a part along with Loree's infectious infatuation with all agaves. Why is it brave? Well because it spent last year inside during the winter but got planted in the ground this spring and will be spending this winter outside. Fingers crossed!
The other brave agave is this one in the same bed that Loree herself brought as a gift on one of her visits. It made it through the winter in the ground last year and doubled in size this summer. Such a cutie!
What foliage has caught your eye lately?