Click on the image thumbnail to the right to enlarge -›››

Agave shawii – Agavaceae - ‘Shaw's Agave,' 'California Coast Agave.' - This lovely small Agave is native to the coastal bluffs of far southern California, and as a result is almost completely extirpated from the wild. The beautiful rosettes feature leaves subtly imprinted with the outlines of younger leaves and with dark red spines along the edges. The rosettes will form pups at the base, and will eventually turn into an attractive clump.

California Coast Agave sports a very compact 2' diameter rosette and 12' tall flowering stalk. Since it is from the immediate coastline, it is more tolerant of cool conditions and moisture on the leaves than many other Agaves. It prefers a well drained soil and a sunny exposure, but it also does well in partly shaded locations, particularly in hot summer regions. It is hardy to at least 20º F.