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Agave schidigera 'Durango Delight' |
Description:
Agave schidigera is a small or medium sized plant that
grows to 2-3 feet across and 2 feet tall. The dark green
leaves are 1 to 1.5 feet long and 1 inch wide at their widest
point. The are decorated with white markings and thin white
marginal fibers. Plants that are five to ten years old consist
of 100-150 leaves which radiate uniformly from the center
giving the plants a very symmetrical shape. There are no
marginal teeth on the leaves; however, the tip is very sharp
and can inflict some damage. The flower stalk is 10 feet to 12
feet tall and is densely loaded with dark purple flowers.
Durango Delight ™ was selected for its dense,
symmetrical form.
Habitat and Distribution:
Agave schidigera is found on steep walled cliffs and
open, exposed sites in oak woodlands from 3,000-8,000 feet
elevation. The form I'm calling Durango Delight ™ is
grown from seed collected on Mexico highway 40 which is also
known as the Mazatlan-Durango highway.
Culture:
Agave schidigera is tolerant of most southwestern
soils. The only requirement is that it have good drainage and
not be waterlogged. Plants have a moderate growth rate,
responding some to supplemental water during the growing
season (spring through early fall). Plants may benefit from
fertilizing in spring and monsoon season. I have grown plants
from the Durango Delight ™ population for 12 years.
Plants have been subjected to winter lows of 17 degrees
without suffering any damage. The only damage I have seen on
any plants was from early morning overhead watering in the
winter. The water froze and resulted in pockmarks on the
leaves. Plants should be drip watered when in the ground.
Uses:
Agave schidigera 'Durango Delight ™ is used as
a container plant throughout the world and as a landscape
plant in the southwestern United States and other areas where
winter lows stay above 15 degrees F.
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| Agave schidigera Durango Delight™ in habitat. | Agave schidigera Durango Delight™ in a Tucson landscape. |
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