Agaveville

String-things may not be the sexiest or most attractive Agaves out there, but they're really very special and oft under utilized in our succulent gardens. I include A. filifera, A. schidigera, and A. multifilifera in this group, along with A. 'leopoldii'. This nomenclature is contested, with some considering these all subspecies of a single species. I don't advocate for either side in this matter, since I haven't seen them in habitat, but will note that most examples of this group that have found their way into cultivation are easily distinguished from one another. I have seen some small evidence to suggest that is not the case in situ.

In any case, these guys are unique amongst their Agave brethren in regard to their ability to thrive under nearly any light conditions. I have examples of A. filifera in full sun and full shade -- both seem deliriously happy. A. schidigera is the most disappointing of the group. The irresistibly dramatic white markings of youth vanish with age. A photo of A. schidigera 'Black Widow' follows. A filifera is similar, but offsets and retains its less dramatic markings through maturity. I have a heavily shaded example of A. 'leopoldii'. I've seen these turn all manner of bright red/purple in full sun, and these are breathtaking. I may separate a pup and try to duplicate the effect.

All very well grown plants and your right, interesting to look at. I like it when I throw a little water at them, the strings kind of dance, it's like the plant comes alive. That last plant is kind of waving at us already.

I have three good size filifera, all languishing outdoors in various corners. They appear to grow much easier than most other Agaves that I have, but I still have difficulty trying to decide where to put them. The largest is still sitting on the ground beside the greenhouse which was meant to be just a temporary placement. Jkw

Love/hate this group.

One of my favorites: a dwarf multifilifera from Tony Avent in my garden:

I like many of these, principally because they are very hardy in UK growing conditions. Or, at least, my bit of the UK.

Here is my best one, growing in a rock wall. Bought as A. filifera but I think it is probably schidigera: And here Agave filifera in habitat at 3000m altitude in Mineral Del Chico, Hidalgo.

I would like to request that Paul start a thread featuring his amazing garden! More More More!!!!

I agree more pictures of Pauls UK garden.
I am much further north and winter here is far too wet in winter to leave succulents outside. I have a planter that I cover over from October till March just to stop the plants rotting in the damp atmosphere.
I would love to leave plants outside planted in the ground.

hah! I will do one in a few days. I actually have TV cameras here today!

Agavemad, I think you would be surprised. Where exactly are you?

Paul we are in Yorkshire.
I have agaves and aeoniums outside during summer
It gets awful wet here during winter, sometimes the rain just doesn't know when to stop
I have a planter with montana, parryi and variegated Americana that I cover.
Are the TV there for the plants?

Yes, Gardeners' World

Hmm, Yorkshire - might be pushing it a bit without major landscaping!

@ jk & Paul, that is exactly what makes filifera et al so special and really unusual -- they not only survive, but actually thrive under an amazingly broad spectrum of growing conditions. I don't believe any other Agave holds a candle to these guys in that regard, but if any come to mind I'd love to hear about them.

How exciting.... get the Agave on the TV

Nice pictures all members!!!!!!

Mine has flowered and still holding on for moment with a couple of pups,

A name request would be appreciated, i have an idea but would like your opinion

Thanks ADU

^ I guess I'll go with A. filifera if it's part of this group. But the filifers remind me of a very long and leggy parviflora, a member of a different group. I'll be honest, I have a lot of trouble identifying shaded plants.

Any pictures of the flowers? That would help quite a bit.

The plant in post 13 looks more like an etiolated Agave parviflora or A. polianthiflora. From what I can see of the stalk, it is much to thin to be A. filifera or anything else in that group.

Here are a few in my collection. They are some of the more interesting to look at agaves I have. I got a nice microceps from Greg that I nearly rotted out of the pot, I finally determined the frequency of water it wanted and it is recovering. I need to repot some of them one of these days.

multifilifera, schidigera, filifera, colimana?

I've got a few to share, just need to remember to grab some pictures.

I forgot all about A. colimana, and I have a nice-sized example 3' across.

Thanks all for info, i found a pic of the flower, hopefully it will help with id.
Forgive the quality of pic, it was an old photo from old phone.

Looks like A. polianthiflora.

http://www.huntington.org/BotanicalDiv/ ... 03-12.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Let's not forget the "Queen of the String-Thing". (I like how that rolls off the tongue.) Perhaps better known as Agave schidigera 'Shira Ito No Ohi' or "Queen of the White Thread-leaf".

I'll toss in a couple of my favorites into the mix...

Here are a couple...I know I forgot at least one in the back.

'shito ito no ohi' in ground for a few years now, about 16" This ugly supposed ocahui/filifera hybrid, here's hoping it will bloom next year

This one is a fairly young A. filifera that I picked out of a few flats at Starr Nursery. It was outrageously white, then when I sprayed it for mites most the white markings washed off I expect they'll come back, not soon enough!