So what do you get when you cross Manfreda and an Agave? Wait!! Is that even possible? It is!! And, voila… we present… x Mangave! x Mangave is an intergeneric hybrid combining the leaf spotting and perennial flowering nature of Manfreda and the leaf spines and evergreen nature (above freezing) of Agave. Like both parents,
The Marvels of Nature! Read More »
We are very excited to see that we have at least 9 agaves so far that will be flowering in 2016. Above is a recent photo of Agave victoriae-reginae where you can see the bud forming in the center where the leaves have become reduced in size. While we lose the agaves after flowering, we
Agaves and Mangaves Read More »
Agave x protoamericana Agave salmiana var. ferox ‘Bellville’ One of the fun projects our JLBG research division has been working on for several years is breeding for winter hardy century plants. One of our latest crosses is between the two plants pictured above, Agave x protoamericana (blue) and Agave salmiana var. ferox ‘Bellville’
Bluebell Giants – Our new agave hybrids Read More »
It’s been absolutely amazing to watch the swarm of honeybees, ants, and hummingbirds feeding on our giant 30′ tall flowering agave. Here’s an updated photo of the blessed event from yesterday. This weekend’s final summer open house is the last chance to see it in person.
30′ tall Flowering Agave – a pollinators dream Read More »
Here’s our research staff getting the giant ladder in place for breeding as the giant Agave salmiana x asperrima begins to open. And here’s Jeremy, who heads up our Research Division, gathering pollen and making crosses. Breeding agaves is a little different from breeding daylilies, iris, and hostas. We hope you’ll join us during our summer
Giant Agave flowering Read More »
The flower spike on our giant Agave salmiana x asperrima is timed perfectly for our Summer Open Nursery and Garden. We measured the spike on this 15 year old monster this morning at a whopping 29′ tall. The actually opening of the flowers should start around Friday and will continue for several weeks. We hope
Giant agave flower spike ready to open Read More »
Here’s a current photo of our spiking Agave ‘Grey Gator’. The spike began four weeks ago today, and was measured yesterday at 22′ in height. The bracts that surround the flower spikes are just beginning to unfurl, so we’re probably a couple of weeks from seeing flowers open. This is the largest of the winter
Agave ‘Grey Gator’ flower spike peaking @ JLBG Read More »
Here’s Baptisia ‘Cherries Jubilee‘ in the garden…a unique butterscotch and brown flower…a Hans Hansen hybrid. Here is another recent baptisia photo from the garden…Baptisia ‘Lemon Meringue‘ looking mighty fine. Baptisia thrive in either dry or wet soils as long as they have 6+ hours of sun.
Baptisia in the garden Read More »
From high above our Southwest patio garden, you can get a good perspective of our latest agave to flower. This cross of Agave salmiana and Agave asperrima (scabra) is our largest agave to ever flower (7′ tall x 12′ wide). We’re expecting the spike to reach at least 25′ before it begins to open in
Giant agave flowering spike starting Read More »
For those who love century plants, here are few that you’ll find in the 2015 catalog that is now only 8 days from going live. The first is our hybrid of Agave striata x Agave bracteosa that we named Agave ‘Straight and Narrow’. It’s a small agave, with virtually no offsets. We’ve had this
New Agaves in the 2015 catalog Read More »
