TOTW Agave toumeyana

Agave toumeyana var. 'bella' (smaller and more compact than the typical Agave toumeyana) is a rare and unusual plant which originated along the rocky eastern slope of the Bradshaw Mountains. It is characterized by dense rosettes, each with 100 - 200 leaves at maturity. Its leaves have elegant white markings, and the white filaments on the leaf edges curl to resemble tight ringlets. When watered, these ringlets unfurl, then curl back up as they dry out. The plants are both cold and drought hardy, but need well-drained soil to thrive. You can find these beautiful plants in the Krutch Garden, which was established in the late 1800’s with plants brought in by Dr. James Toumey, the botanist after whom the Agave toumeyana, or Toumey agave, is named.