Common name:Octopus Agave
Botanical name:Agave vilmoriniana

Octopus Agave has arching twisted, narrow green leaves that are 4' tall and wide. There are no thorns or spines but the leaf margins have tiny serrations. This Agave prefers full sun but will need afternoon shade in desert areas. It does bloom but you may have to wait 7 years! This Agave will die after blooming. It needs well draining soil. It is drought and cold tolerant.

Common name:Purple Heart, Purple Queen
Botanical name:Tradescantia pallida 'Purpurea'

Herbaceous. Rapid grower in warmer areas. Succulent leaves are rich purple on fleshy stems. Small flowers are pink, lavender or purple. Mexican native. It will grow in the low desert in sun or shade. Frost can take it to the ground.

Common name:Mexican Fencepost
Botanical name:Pachycereus marginatus

Evergreen columnar cactus grows quickly to 10' x 6'. Stems are dark green and have small white spines. Flowers are pink and appear in spring. A bold, dramatic accent plant. Good in containers. Accepts reflected heat. Native to southern Mexico.

Common name:Woolly Blue Spires
Botanical name:Pilosocereus azureus

Stately spires of dramatic blue reach skyward, graced with margins armed of golden spines and a soft, downy fur. The spectacular sky-blue color of this skin is surprising to say the least in a world of green expectations. For this reason, it is a great color contrast as well as vertical accent in the landscape or large container. Growth rate is quite fast for a medium bodied cactus plant, up to 1 1/2 feet per year. Can grow up to 12 feet tall and branching both from the base and mid-body. Full sun; ample watering and fertilizer during warm growing season; excellent in hot inland deserts as well. Hardy to mid 20s.

Common name:Variegated Gloriosa Yucca
Botanical name:Yucca gloriosa 'Variegata'

This clumping beautiful yucca reaches 4-5' tall and wide. It has large, blue-green, sword-like leaves with gold margins that turn cream with maturity. White, bell-shaped flowers bloom in summer, quite spectacular. But this plant is savored for its foliage. It does best in full sun with well draining soil. This evergreen plant looks great in containers. It tolerates coastal conditions, heat, humidity, even cold. Established plants need minimal care and water.

Common name:Dragon Toes Agave
Botanical name:Agave pygmae 'Dragon Toes'

This agave is originally from Mexico and Central America. It has chunky, thick, blue green leaves that have sharp spines along the margins and a large spine at the tip of the leaf. It is a slow growing plant reaching 1-2' tall and wide. It does best in full sun with well draining soil. Established plants need minimal water and are heat tolerant. Not tolerant of frost. Looks great in containers or in mass plantings.