Common name:Century Plant, Maguey
Botanical name:Agave americana

This plant is fast growing to about 6'-10' tall and 8'-13' wide. Wide gray leaves have stiff terminal spines and recurved teeth on margins. It prefers full sun and well-drained situations. After blooming, which could take several years, it will die but will send up new pups from around the base. Some people are allergic to the sap. Removal is difficult if unwanted.

Common name:Fox Tail Agave, Velvet Agave
Botanical name:Agave attenuata

This Agave has a dramatic tropical form. Even light frost can damage its succulent leaves. It is great for containers. In the low desert, partial sun will be best. If it becomes top heavy, simply cut and stick in the ground to root. It is not a fast grower and has light green foliage. It will also die after flowering but pups around the mother will survive. Distinctive with its large rosette of leaves perched on a long curving trunk, it is a native from Mexico.

Common name:Big Bend Yucca
Botanical name:Yucca rostrata

This Yucca has blue leaves, a tall narrow trunk, and a spectacular summer display of cream white flowers. It is one of the most attractive tree Yuccas. It slowly forms a trunk to 10' tall. The young are usually unbranched; the older have a few branches. Narrow blue leaves can grow up to 2' long and .5" wide with a sharp term spine. This Yucca prefers full sun or very light shade and rocky, well drained soil. It is susceptible to grubs.Old leaves persist.

Common name:Torch Lily
Botanical name:Kniphofia hybrids

This perennial will grow to about 6' tall and has large green leaves with red, orange, and yellow flowers that bloom in spring, summer, and fall.

Common name:Australian Grass Tree
Botanical name:Xanthorrhoea quadrangulata

This grassy perennial will eventually grow to 15' high. It is a tree-like plant. Foliage is fiber optic looking with linear green leaves that are 2'-4' long and shimmer in the wind. The long flowering stalk resembles a jousting lance and is a stunning accent plant. Tall grasses are highly combustible.

Common name:Italian Stone Pine
Botanical name:Pinus pinea

Italian Stone Pine has a moderate growth rate to 40'-80' in height. It eventually forms a broad umbrella with a shaped, flat crown. The needles cluster in 2's, 5"-8" long, and brown to gray green in color. Pines are highly combustible plants.

Common name:Soaptree Yucca
Botanical name:Yucca elata

This tree-like Yucca grows 10'-30' tall with single or multiple heads. It can look a little rough and forms a skirt of dead leaves on the trunk. In late summer, flower stalks are the tallest of Yuccas. Flowers are creamy white and lily-like. Thin grass-like leaves have filamentous margins and teeth on the undersides.Most Yuccas have fibrous roots; this one has taproot and is difficult to transplant. Keep this plant dry during winter. It is very cold hardy.