Agave stricta Nana

Agave stricta 'Nana' is the dwarf, bluish form of Agave stricta, reaching only 30cm (20in) in all directions at maturity! This perennial succulent is presented in the form of a compact, symmetrical clump with numerous slender, glaucous, upwardly arching leaves that give it the appearance of a hedgehog. They are joined by reddish-brown terminal spines that contrast beautifully with the bluish hue of the plant. As it grows, it will slowly spread in width by producing some suckers at its base to form small bristly colonies. This species particularly likes dry soils and is resistant to temperatures down to -12°C (10.4°F) in dry soil. Its small size makes it suitable for decorating a small rockery or a pot on a terrace.

Native to the desert centre of southern Mexico, Agave stricta 'Nana' is a drought-tolerant perennial plant. It belongs to the Asparagaceae family (formerly Agavaceae), just like Yuccas. This succulent herbaceous plant has rhizomes capable of slowly producing suckers, but it is almost devoid of an above-ground stem, which takes the form of an extremely short trunk. The dense and regular rosette is very open when the plant is in full sun, but will be more compact in a subject exposed to partial shade. It will not exceed 30cm (20in) in all directions, with fairly slow growth. It is composed of slender, glaucous, succulent leaves, 25cm (10in) long. They are straight to slightly upwardly curved, pointed, with a half-moon section and equipped with decorative reddish-brown terminal needles, 1cm (0.4 in) long. When a rosette exceeds the venerable age of 10 years, or even longer, it produces a floral stem, borne high above the foliage in late summer. It carries numerous horizontal branches. The branches bear flat and spherical panicles, composed of a myriad of small tubular flowers.

In mild climates, this agave will find its place in a large rockery, a dry slope, or in a raised bed with soil enriched with gravel or coarse sand. It can be planted with frost-resistant prickly pears such as Opuntia humifusa 'Millevaches', giant fennel, fairly hardy candle cacti (Cleistocactus strausii, Cylindropuntia imbricata), and ground-covering plants such as dwarf wormwoods, Rhodanthemum, Ajania pacifia, which are all equally undemanding. Gardeners in colder regions can plant it in a very large pot on a terrace, carefully choosing the most sheltered spot, and in full sun, to recreate a setting inspired by the vast arid and wild spaces of Mexico. In wetter and colder regions, this moderately hardy plant can be overwintered in a bright, well-ventilated room.