Agaves, yuccas and cacti: exotic plants for a unique garden!

Why invite them to the garden?

There are several reasons to plant agaves, yuccas, and cacti:

• Their resistance to arid and hot conditions, meaning they can thrive in areas where other plants may not survive. This makes them ideal for gardens located in regions with increasingly hot and dry climates.
• Their low maintenance: they are easy and inexpensive to care for, making them a practical option for gardeners looking to add plants to their garden without spending too much time on upkeep.
• Their aesthetics: these graphic plants often have unique shapes and textures that can add an interesting touch to a garden. They can also be used to create focal points or borders.
• Their resistance to pests: plants of this type are often resistant to pests and diseases, which can reduce the need to use pesticidal or weedkiller products.

Agaves

Agaves are succulent plants distinguished by their large fleshy leaves and symmetrical rosettes. They are often associated with arid and semi-arid regions but can be grown in a variety of climates. A bit tender, they are easy to grow in areas with mild winters, in full sun, in a preferably poor, even stony, calcareous, sandy soil. Hardy down to about -12°C (the Agave havardiana can withstand frosts of around -23°C), in perfectly drained soil, in colder regions, they should be grown in large pots to be brought indoors during winter.

Agaves are also known for their long lifespan, drought resistance, and ability to produce spectacular flowers before dying.

Main Varieties

Agave americana

• Flowering time August, September
• Height at maturity 1,50 m

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Agave americana Variegata - American Agave

• Flowering time August, September
• Height at maturity 1,50 m

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Agave filifera

• Flowering time August, September
• Height at maturity 50 cm

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Agave geminiflora

• Height at maturity 1,20 m

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Agave victoriae reginae - Queen Victorias Agave

• Flowering time August, September
• Height at maturity 50 cm

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Yuccas

Yuccas are resilient and elegant plants distinguished by their sword-shaped, rigid leaves and their white, bell-shaped flowers grouped in spectacular inflorescences. They are known for their tolerance to poor soils and drought, as well as their low maintenance requirements.

The Yucca thrives in sunny situations or in partial shade in the hottest regions. It tolerates heat, wind, and the specific conditions of coastal areas, making it ideal for a coastal garden. Yucca filamentosa has a hardiness that allows it to withstand temperatures as low as -20°C without damage in well-drained soil, while gloriosa and rostrata can endure temperatures below -15°C. Yucca elephantipes, on the other hand, is best reserved for gardens on the Côte d’Azur, as it suffers at temperatures below -4 to -5°C.

Main Varieties

Yucca elephantipes Jewel

• Flowering time August, September
• Height at maturity 6 m

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Yucca filamentosa

• Flowering time August, September
• Height at maturity 1,50 m

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Yucca gloriosa Citrus Twist

• Flowering time June to August
• Height at maturity 1,50 m

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Yucca rigida

• Flowering time June to August
• Height at maturity 3 m

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Yucca rostrata

• Flowering time June to August
• Height at maturity 4 m

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Cacti and succulents

Whether it’s the Opuntia, which includes many species of prickly pear cacti like the famous Barbary Fig (Opuntia ficus-indica), the Aloe, Hesperaloe or Crassula, the cacti and succulents are true living symbols of resilience against extreme heat and drought conditions. Some are not very hardy, but others can be planted in the ground even in the northern regions of France.

Make sure to reserve the sunniest spots for them, always in well-draining, even poor soil.

Main Varieties

Opuntia discata - Prickly Pear

• Flowering time July, August
• Height at maturity 2 m

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Opuntia laevis - Prickly Pear

• Flowering time June to August
• Height at maturity 90 cm

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Hesperaloe parviflora Rose des Sables - Red Yucca

• Flowering time July to September
• Height at maturity 1 m

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Crassula arborescens Curly Grey

• Flowering time June to August
• Height at maturity 80 cm

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Aloe brevifolia

• Flowering time April to June
• Height at maturity 20 cm

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How to insert these beautiful prickly plants into the borders?

Graphic and evergreen plants, agaves, yuccas, cacti, and other succulents bring structure and design to the garden. Choose them based on your climate and soil to avoid losses due to frost or moisture. Remember that these are plants that prefer a sunny location: it is important to select a spot with good sun exposure, but also where water does not stagnate. If your soil is not well-draining enough, consider adding gravel or very coarse sand at planting, which can also be done on a mound for better water drainage.

Then, indulge yourself and mix these wonderfully understated plants with other vegetation, taking into account their leaf colour, upright or more prostrate habit, and their subtle or more vibrant flowering. You can also create entire scenes from these exotic-looking plants.

Yuccas and agaves allow you to create a complete decor with even more simplicity!