Week of June 16

The summer heat has really set in and the sunniest place of our Florida Home is the front yard, which bakes in the sun.  This is the ideal spot for AGAVES and other plants that thrive in dry, hot places.  We have three kinds, with the standout in the front yard bring the large agave native to Mexico.  The primary plant is 5-6 feet tall with broad and thick blades with rapier sharp points.  It is a spectacular specimen. We do need to protect it from frost on a few winter nights.  We think it is healthy since it has sent out many shoots which result in a small agave plant erupting from the soil around it.  We also have a smaller bed next to the sidewalk with two smaller agaves.  The emerald green one also has populated the bed with its shoots.  A third kind has narrow lumpy blades without the spreading shoots.  They are ideal for these full sun, dry areas, yet add color and interest.  They also keep people on the sidewalk, to avoid those sharp blades!