Agave potrerana

I first saw this amazing Agave potrerana at California's Ruth Bancroft Garden, where it was in full flower. Agave potrerana hails from the high mountains (5,000'-8,000') in the north Mexican provinces of Chihuahua and Coahuila. The 2' tall x 4' wide solitary rosette of grey-green leaves is topped when mature with a stunning 20' tall, giant, bottlebrush-like inflorescence combining the psychedelic colors of red, orange, yellow, and pink...a hummingbird floral feast. Agave potrerana is seldom grown in cold winter climates; a surprise since author Howard Gentry, in "Agaves of Continental North America," states "It grows in a habitat with hard winter freezes..." In our garden trials since 2006, it has sailed through 7 degrees F so far.