Xeriscape Landscape Plants For The Arizona Desert Environment
Pictures, Photos, And Planting Information,
Succulents

Queen Victoria Agave, Agave victoriae-reginae

Queen Victoria Agave, Agave victoriae-reginae. Arizona - Sonora Desert Museum, September 29, 2006.

Queen Victoria Agave Agave victoriae-reginae	Queen Victoria Agave Agave victoriae-reginae

Queen Victoria Agave Agave victoriae-reginae, Agave Family ( Agaveae ), Queen Victoria Agave. Also called: . Agave victoriae-reginae is named after the English queen Victoria. Queen Victoria's agave is a species of agave which forms a compact rosette of short, rigid, dark green, spine-tipped leaves with conspicuous white markings and smooth, toothless margins. It is a very nice agave but it does have a very sharp terminal spine at the end of each leaf. Some plants will lose their white markings, and when this happens, the markings usually never come back. Agave victoriae-reginae is a slow growing plant and it may take as long as 40 years before it ever blooms. When it blooms it sends up a flower stalk that is 10 to 15 feet tall with pale green to cream flowers. The plant dies soon after blooming. The slow growth creates a rather steep price for mature specimens. But, it also means that the plant will be around for a while if planted young. Agave victoriae-reginae is found across the Chihuahuan Desert, where there are about a half-dozen subspecies located. It is cold-hardy as agaves go to about 10° F. Can take full sun in Phoenix or Tucson. Height: Up to 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide. Flowers: Its flowers are pale green to cream flowers on 10 - 15 foot unbranched spikes. Blooming Time: Phoenix Arizona, Mid February. Leaves: The leaves symmetrical rosettes of narrow, dark green leaves. They have a slight red - brown tip. Found: Native of Nuevo Leon, Chihuahua, Mexico. It is endangered there! It grows on rocky limestone slopes and steep walled canyons from about 4,000 - 5,000 feet elevation. Also found in Coahuila and Durango Mexico. Elevation: 0 - 5,000 Feet. In Arizona. Habitat: It grows well in sand, sandy loam, clay and other heavy soils. It needs good drainage and aeration. It is remarkably tolerant of alkali. Hardy to 10° F. Miscellaneous: Maintenance: Low. Photos Taken; Arizona - Sonora Desert Museum, September 29, 2006. Be very careful of the sharp spines on the leaves.