Wouldn't it be nice to live in an area that is mild enough that you can grow several agaves outside, plenty enough that you can experiment in altering the appearance of one or two of them?
This is just a flight of fancy of course, I wouldn't want to migrate somewhere on the sole basis I can grow agaves there (I'm sure some would) but this thought passed my mind when we saw these agaves:
Beautiful or Butchered? Like of Loathe? These agaves have had the pineapple cut!
You're lucky to be able to grow one or two of these outside in the UK and get it to reach gigantic proportions (it is possible especially with a winter rain shelter). As prized garden specimens you wouldn't even want to think about being experimental with the way they are trimmed. But if you live in a mild area and have so many, perhaps why not with a few?
Or maybe not....
Gaz wasn't keen on it. I quite liked it in an odd and quirky sort of way (ducks for cover...)
Mark :-)
This is just a flight of fancy of course, I wouldn't want to migrate somewhere on the sole basis I can grow agaves there (I'm sure some would) but this thought passed my mind when we saw these agaves:
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| Agave salmiana var. ferox |
You're lucky to be able to grow one or two of these outside in the UK and get it to reach gigantic proportions (it is possible especially with a winter rain shelter). As prized garden specimens you wouldn't even want to think about being experimental with the way they are trimmed. But if you live in a mild area and have so many, perhaps why not with a few?
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| Agave salmiana var. ferox - taken later in the day |
Or maybe not....
Gaz wasn't keen on it. I quite liked it in an odd and quirky sort of way (ducks for cover...)
Mark :-)
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
Oh. My. No. Just no. Now I can't unsee this.
ReplyDeleteoops, too late Alison! :)
DeleteNo. Definitely not. Just plain wrong. Butchery. Listen to Gaz!!
ReplyDeleteI do sometimes Janet :))
DeleteWhy do they do that? is it because they have to cut parts that turn black or something after the winter?
ReplyDeleteMore likely a combination of reasons Lisa. Perhaps there were dead and dry leaves much lower down the plant but I can imagine not much higher up. No signs of winter damage too on other plants. Perhaps they just wanted to lift the crowns up so they can thoroughly clean the area...
DeleteWe see that often in south Texas but seldom as well done as those. It's usually a way to keep them in bounds or off walkway but these might be decorative only. They look good paired closely with palms so the trunk patterns repeat.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a good idea in that context Shirley, combined with trimmed palms. Most common reason I can imagine is practicality to keep the toothed leaves away from pathways etc.
DeleteWhat a thing to do. I must confess that I laughed when I saw them (hangs head in shame).
ReplyDeleteNo need :) I think they look and funny trimmed like that...
DeleteIt's hot enough here to grow real pineapples (by cutting off the tops and poking them in the ground) but when it comes to agaves - au natural please.
ReplyDeleteIf you're lucky enough to have the real thing growing then yes, better leave all the agaves alone :))
DeletePineapple agaves are a fairly common sight here in Northern California (typically it's plain old Agave americana that gets the treatment). I always thought it's a technique landscapers learn in landscaping school.
ReplyDeleteI don't hate the look, actually. That's to say I kind of like it. In somebody else's yard. Where I don't have to look at it every day.
I can imagine it will be more common there and it's also possible that it's a technique in landscaping school. I suppose it is necessary to do this in certain conditions especially if practicality is needed. At least they were trimmed neatly.
DeleteI wonder what would happen if you dug up the agave and replanted it up to the top of the butchered base? Some small succulents can survive that treatment. I can't say I like the pineapple cut - at a minimum, I'd have to plant something in front of the agaves to hide that base.
ReplyDeleteI don't think agaves will respond well with such treatment Kris, more likely they will rot away if reburied deeper. But yes some succulents do not mind such treatment. Eventually though when the old leaf bases dry out and younger leaves get pushed and go lower then the trimmed bases will disappear. How long will that take...hmmm...
DeleteHate hate hate! Although to the untrained eye some might think I was attempting this myself, when all I was doing was cutting off rotten lower leaves.
ReplyDeleteSame as you I've done something similar to smaller agaves Loree, just part of maintenance. If we were lucky enough to have such huge specimens in our garden, unless necessary I'll only remove dead leaves (too precious to get a pineapple cut!).
DeleteThanks for stopping by and leaving a message.
ReplyDeleteNo, I'm afraid I don't like the pineapple haircut, I'm all for letting things be as natural as possible. It's different though and certainly a talking point!
It's a talking point indeed Pauline :) I think the Not Like option will win on this one.
DeleteI quite like it in a sedistical way would be great to be able to experiment with them but wouldn't want them in my garden
ReplyDeleteSame here Jeff. If we have a garden that is huge and has loads of it (which we don't) I wouldn't mind experimenting with one or two...
Deletelol! if they grew like 'weeds' then you could do what you wanted to them, I like the quirkyness of them
ReplyDeleteIndeed Libby :)
DeleteI've never really understood the point of growing an Agave if you didn't want it to look like an Agave. That being said I still can't hate these as much as I want to. Something about them keeps making me think that maybe they're ok.
ReplyDeleteVery true Tom. But these agaves will be fine in such a favourable and sheltered location. They will eventually outgrow the aggressive trimming, unless they do this again of course.
DeleteHaha, controversial! I much prefer the au naturale version, but I can understand why people might do it. (I have some agaves with ugly lower leaves... I trimmed a few off but then you notice more and more imperfections and I had to stop before it became noticeable that I had cut them)
ReplyDeleteThe temptation to go overboard when it comes to trimming and tidying up is always there Amy. Sometimes we all have to remind ourselves when to stop :)
DeleteI'm joining the minority party here by thinking they are kind of cool looking. It's an aesthetic opinion only, with no regard for what it might do to the plant.
ReplyDeleteI think they look quirky but would only do this if we had loads growing out. If they are growing in a favourable location I can imagine such trimming wouldn't be detrimental to the health of the plant. They may slow down but very likely they will still do fine.
DeleteNot fond of this as I love the natural shape of agaves. Perhaps in a theme park of some sort it would look o.k. Spongebob Squarepants lives in a pineapple... Maybe they just need a big yellow sponge with pants to make them look right.
ReplyDeleteHana, that's a good one Peter!
Deleteid love to be able to grow pineapples in Tennessee. But, our weather and zone temperatures have fluctuated so drastically the past 5 years, they'd never live on our zone. Our winter's get below 0 now. When I was a child, they'd never get under the 20's.
ReplyDeleteThere's always the under glass option but yes your area will be too cold for it. Perhaps use it for summer bedding Tammy :)
DeleteThe only reason I can see to do this is to keep people from being poked or if you have kids. But then you shouldn't have planted them in that case. Strange.
ReplyDeleteI kind of like it? I'd be tempted to set up an umbrella so it looks like the garnish on a tropical drink. Mmmm, maistais!
ReplyDelete