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Botanical name: Furcraea foetida ‘Variegata’
A usually trunkless variety producing a showy rosette of long, spineless creamy yellow leaves with contrasting green stripes; infrequent flower spike soars upward, bearing yellow-green blooms; basal plant dies after blooming; a great accent planting.
Other names: Mauritius Hemp
| Hardiness zone | 9a |
|---|---|
| Flower color | white |
| Foliage type | evergreen |
| Plant form | over mound |
| Mature height | 5 feet (10 feet with the flowers) |
| Spread | 5 feet |
| Light requirements | full sun to partial shade |
| Moisture requirements | dry to average |
| Plant origin | import |
Variegated False Agave features bold spikes of fragrant white flowers with green overtones rising above the foliage in mid summer. Its attractive succulent sword-like leaves remain buttery yellow in color with prominent green stripes throughout the year. The fruit is not ornamentally significant.
Variegated False Agave is an herbaceous evergreen perennial with tall flower stalks held atop a low mound of foliage. Its wonderfully bold, coarse texture can be very effective in a balanced garden composition.
This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and usually looks its best without pruning, although it will tolerate pruning. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Variegated False Agave is recommended for the following landscape applications;
Accent, General Garden Use, Container Planting
Variegated False Agave will grow to be about 5 feet tall at maturity extending to 10 feet tall with the flowers, with a spread of 5 feet. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 12 years.
This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in poor soils. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by multiplication of the underground bulbs; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.
Variegated False Agave is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. Its large size and upright habit of growth lend it for use as a solitary accent, or in a composition surrounded by smaller plants around the base and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.
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