Agaves With Attitude
Agaves are more than just drought-tolerant plants – they’re living sculptures. Whether you’re working with a sprawling landscape or a compact patio, these architectural beauties can be used creatively. Here’s how to elevate both containers and landscapes from ho-hum plantings into expressions of art.
Containers with a Twist
• Modern minimalism: Use sleek, concrete, ceramic, steel or other contemporary containers to highlight the plant’s geometry.
• Rustic charm: Plant in weathered terracotta, oxidized copper, or “junktiques” for a desert-meets-farmhouse vibe.
• Layered drama: Combine agaves with trailing succulents or sedums to soften the edges of the container.
• Center of attention: Let a single agave take center stage in a striking container for a dramatic statement.
• Color echo: Choose an agave with blue, chartreuse, or variegated tones and echo that shade in the container, nearby furniture or companion plant blooms.
Rock Star in the Garden
• Natural Look: Use sleek, concrete, ceramic, steel or other contemporary containers to highlight the plant’s geometry.
• Sloped rock gardens: Plant in weathered terracotta, oxidized copper, or “junktiques” for a desert-meets-farmhouse vibe.
• Zen-inspired layouts: Combine agaves with trailing succulents or sedums to soften the edges of the container.
• Color play: Let a single agave take center stage in a striking container for a dramatic statement.
Designing with an Edge
• Pathway punctuation: Line a walkway with evenly spaced agaves or create mirrored formations at stairs for a contemporary touch.
• Design anchors: Place them strategically in open beds, among perennials or surround them with soft-textured plants like Mexican feather grass or pink muhly.
• Shadow Play: Plant near walls, buildings or pavement so they cast shadows that change through the day. Night lighting makes this an even more powerful design element.
• Mix & Match: Plant different varieties of Agaves, Yuccas and other drought-tolerant plants to create a colorful arid, desert garden.
Agaves are architectural stars of the plant world. Their sculptural forms and low water needs make them ideal for unique, eye-catching plantings. Whether you’re working with a small space or a sprawling yard, they offer endless potential for inventive design.