Mangave Redwing

Mangave Redwing is a remarkably colourful succulent plant, resembling a giant purple rosette. It is part of a series of hybrids resulting from cross-breeding between Manfreda and Agave plants, selected in the USA.  From the agaves, they display a remarkably architectural evergreen vegetation as well as a very perennial temperament, while they have their unique colours, less sharp spines and faster growth from the Manfreda. This Redwing variety has foliage tinged with dark pink-purple on an acidic green background. Resistant to drought but not very hardy, it makes a beautiful specimen to cultivate in a pot on the patio. In coastal gardens or mild climates, it will thrive in a rockery.

Mangave Redwing belongs to the Agavaceae family, now included by botanists in the much larger Asparagaceae family. This plant develops quite rapidly into a rosette of 30 cm (12in) tall and 60 cm (24in) wide, composed of numerous succulent leaves. The leaves are wide, gutter-shaped, tapered to a point, beautifully curved, and and edged with small, slightly prickly teeth.  Their thick, shiny leaves are almost entirely coloured purple on young leaves, becoming light green on the older ones. The foliage colour will be more intense if the plant is exposed to sunlight.  Flowers will appear in favourable climates on mature plants, from August to October. From the centre of the rosette emerges a branched flower stalk bearing small white star-shaped flowers. Mangaves are plants for dry, well-drained soil, capable of withstanding brief frosts of around -5 to -7°C (23 to 19.4°F), depending on the variety.  They should be placed in full sun or, at most, partial shade in hot climates. The plant is evergreen.

To create exotic scenes in mild climates, Redwing Mangave can be planted in a rockery, alongside other small agaves such as Agave montana, other differently coloured Mangaves, small agapanthus, or grasses like Carex comans Milk Chocolate or Stipa tenuifolia. Collectors of cacti and other succulent plants can highlight it on the patio or balcony, in a blue or grey pot, surrounded with sempervivum.