Agave ovatifolia (Whale's Tongue Hardy Century Plant)

SunZone: 7-9, at least 36" tall Origin: Mexico

This fabulous agave was first brought into the US by the late Lynn Lowery, who found it growing between 3,000' and 7,000' elevation in Nuevo Leon, Mexico. It was planted around Dallas and survived for decades unscathed by cold. Agave expert Greg Starr, curious to know its identity, retraced Lynn's route and found the original population in Mexico, where it was determined to be a new species and subsequently named in 2002. In form, it looks like an Agave parryi on steroids, forming a 36" tall x 5' wide (in 5 years), symmetrical clump of wide grey leaves. It has proven to be one of the best agaves for cold, wet climates, far outperforming almost all other species. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)