Mangave Mania

Four new Mangave selections passed the final cut for inclusion in the 2026 Plant Delights catalog, that will launch in a few weeks. To understand how difficult it is to pass our tests for inclusion, we currently have 660 different mangave selections on trial, each vying for a few coveted catalog spots. For the next 12 month period, we’ve narrowed our selections down to 9 finalists, of which quantities should be enough to offer. If no trialing issues arise, there will be another exciting new group of selections to look forward to in the future.

Below are just a few of those trial mangaves in one of our greenhouses. Our evaluations take into account several factors, including winter hardiness, attractiveness, vigor, durability, and uniqueness. We have some breeding lines that we know will be confined to container or bedding plant culture, due to their genetics. Another completely different breeding line is where we are looking at winter hardiness as our most important factor. Those mangaves that are bred and selected for winter hardiness are all trialed in ground, in one of our outdoor trial areas, on the coldest part of our property.

For 2026, Mangave ‘Gilt Edge’ will be a new offering from the handiwork of Hans Hansen. We have yet to trial it in ground, only by oversight, since there is a good chance it will survive outdoors in Zone 7b/8a, being it’s a hybrid involving Mangave ‘Jaguar’ and Agave flexispina.

Mangave ‘Aztec King’ is another creation by Hans Hansen, released by Walters Gardens. Our plants have been in the ground since 2020, and have so far, survived 11 degrees F. It’s parentage includes two giant agave species, Agave x pseudoferox and Agave ovatifolia.

Mangave ‘Green Eyed Lady’ is another Hans Hansen creation, which is a purple-edged sport of Mangave ‘Purple People Eater’. Because the agave parent used to create this was Agave gypsophila, it’s winter use outdoors is limited to frost free climates.

The final 2026 introduction is Mangave ‘American Masterpiece’. This Hans Hansen/Walters Gardens release was created using Mangave ‘Jaguar’ and Agave x protamericana, so winter hardiness is probably going to be Zone 8b/9a. This vigorous grower makes a stunning container specimen as you can see by the photo below.