xMangaves are intergeneric hybrids created by breeding
Manfredas with various species of
Agaves. I didn't know much about them when I got my first one,
'Blood Spot', in 2015. Sometime after that they exploded in popularity as more and more hybrids were created. Unfortunately, few garden centers or nurseries in my own area offered them. A few crept into the local trade in 2019 but the majority of those I've collected since 2015 have come via mail order nurseries and as gifts. This week following a meeting, the South Coast Botanic Garden docents had an opportunity to tour the garden's propagation unit and I was pleased to see that volunteer propagators have created their own hybrid.
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| The plant on the left and its siblings in the next 2 photos are hybrids of a Manfreda and Agave potatorum. The new creation reminds me a bit of 'Spotty Dotty' but this one has nicely curving leaves along the lines of 'Falling Waters'. |
I'm hoping that one will show up at the garden's Spring Festival and Plant Sale in April. In the meantime, I decided it was a good time to take an inventory of what I already have.
My newest and generally smallest specimens are tucked into what I call my bromeliad bed (even though there are now more succulents than bromeliads there).
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| 'Mission to Mars', one of 3 Mangaves Gerhard Bock of Succulents & More kindly picked up for me at a US Davis Arboretum sale. I'm hoping it'll get enough sun in this spot to develop the red leaves it's known for. |
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| 'Pineapple Express' was purchased at South Coast Botanic Garden's Fall Plant Sale |
There are larger and more well-established specimens in the adjacent succulent bed in my front garden.
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| 'Bed Head', purchased by mail order from Plant Delights, is one of my favorites, although it's looked a little beaten down by the rain it received last year and again this year |
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| My husband purchased 'Jaguar' and other Mangaves by mail order from Plant Delights for my birthday last year. One of the larger Mangaves, expected to reach 2 feet in height at maturity, it's already looking great. |
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| I moved 'Spotty Dotty' last year and she's been happier since |
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| 'Snow Leopard' was also a birthday gift from my husband. With the return of cooler temperatures this winter, these 2 plants have taken on a decidedly pink tinge. |
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| The same is true of 'Kaleidoscope'. This one is the most prolific pupper among my Mangaves. |
The dry garden on the northeast side of the house has some of my oldest specimens, including
'Blood Spot'.
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| A group shot of the collection in this area |
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| 'Blood Spot', the Mangave that started this particular collecting obsession. This is the one and only Mangave I've obtained from a local garden center thus far. |
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| I got 'Lavender Lady' by mail order in 2017 but she's shown up recently in SoCal garden centers |
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| 'Purple People Eater' was part of my birthday haul. It's looking a little scruffy at the moment. |
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| The discoloration on a few leaves of 'Silver Fox' has me concerned about rot but the problem hasn't progressed so I'm hopeful |
Other than another couple of
'Kaleidoscope' Mangaves on the front slope, the rest of my plants are in pots.
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| 'Blazing Saddles'was a Christmas gift from a friend in 2018. It's supposed to remain relatively small and seems perfectly happy in this container planted by my friend. |
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| 'Moonglow', part of Gerhard's shipment |
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| 'Red Wing' was another of the plants Gerhard secured for me. It's supposed to tolerate a bit of shade. |
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| I got 'Tooth Fairy', another of my favorites, from Mountain Crest. It's reputed to be a slow grower so I've surrounded it with other succulents in this rusted steel wok. |
I may have gotten off to a slow start with this particular collection but I'm catching up - maybe. Breeders seem to be hybridizing new varieties every week.
Have a pleasant weekend!
All material © 2012-2020 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
