Furcraea macdougallii

Furcraea macdougallii is the largest, and probably the most spectacular of Furcraea species. The plant impresses with its size, but also with its vertical habit that mimics the sculptural silhouette of certain palm trees or yuccas with trunks. This Mexican species related to agaves develops over time a robust and tall trunk that supports a crown of long, upright, narrow, glaucous green, slightly denticulate succulent leaves. Furcrea plants spend years preparing their spectacular flowering, an apotheosis that marks the end of their life. In this species, F. macdougallii, it takes the form of a giant panicle with creamy white, waxy flowers. In privileged coastal gardens, give this botanical curiosity a prominent location on a slope or in the center of a large rockery.

Originally from southern Mexico, specifically from the province of Oaxaca (Oaxaca and Puebla States), where it grows in pine forests on limestone soil up to 1000 m (3280 ft 10 in) altitude, Furcraea macdougallii can only withstand short frosts of around -5 °C (23 °F) in dry soil. Young plants, very sensitive to cold, like partial shade and water, but well-established specimens tolerate summer drought perfectly. It is a plant from the agave or asparagus family, with a relatively slow growth rate. When young, the Furcraea forms a rosette composed of long, slender, pointed, flexible, succulent leaves, upright, with denticulate edges, and few spines. Each leaf can measure over 2 m (6 ft 7 in) long and 5-6 cm (2-2.4 in) wide on an adult plant. After many years, it forms a trunk up to 8 meters (26 feet 2 inches) tall (depending on the climate), covered with a 'skirt' of dry leaves that eventually fall off, leaving decorative warm brown leaf scars. This trunk bears a large crown measuring up to 1 m (3 ft 4 in) wide. Flowering occurs after 25 to 40 years of cultivation, marking the death of this monocarpic plant. In this species, the inflorescence can reach 6 m (19 ft 8 in) tall under optimal conditions. It develops into a large pyramidal panicle with trailing branches. The tubular flowers with 6 fleshy and villous petals, opening into star-shaped flowers with a diameter of 5.5 cm (2.2 in), are white, more or less tinged with light yellow and green. The plant can reach a total height of 15 m (49 ft 2 in) when flowering in favourable climates. It sometimes produces seeds, but more frequently numerous small bulblets along the flower stalk: they can be collected and planted to perpetuate this magnificent plant.

Furcraea macdougallii requires sun, a very well-draining soil, and tolerates coastal conditions perfectly. It particularly fears humid climates and waterlogged soils in winter. In milder areas, it can be showcased on a large slope, in the center of an exotic or contemporary rockery, or even near a swimming pool if the soil is well prepared to accommodate it. This large plant will simply be magnificent when grown as a standalone specimen, alongside a carpet of cistus, Cerastostigma plumbaginoides, Delosperma, or even a short grass meadow of Zoyzia tenuifolia, the Mascarene grass. It can also be associated with palm trees (Jubaea), agaves, phormiums, Hesperaloe parviflora, Beschorneria yuccoides, all equally spectacular and frugal. Ensure it is planted in a carefully-chosen location, sheltered from winter rains, in full sun.