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Agave bracteosa 'Calamar'

Also Known As

Solitary Candelabrum Agave

Plant type

cactus / succulent

size

H: 2'-4'
W: 2'-3'

planting zones

8a-11

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Agave bracteosa 'Calamar' plant details

Agave bracteosa 'Calamar' is an evergreen cactus / succulent with green foliage. In summer chartreuse flowers emerge. Grows well with sun - bright shade and regular - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in winter. Does well in average, gritty, lean, rocky and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Agave bracteosa 'Calamar'

Plant type: cactus / succulent
Plant family: agavaceae, asparagaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 2 FT - 3 FT - wide, 2 FT - 4 FT - tall
Flowers: chartreuse blooms in summer
Uses: architectural, container plant, desert garden, rare, rock garden, rosette-forming, spineless, xeric

GROWING CONDITIONS for Agave bracteosa 'Calamar'

USDA Zones: 8a - 11
Sun exposure: sun - bright shade
Watering frequency: regular - low
Resistant to: deer and rabbit, heat and verticillium wilt
Soil needs: average, gritty, lean, rocky and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Agave bracteosa 'Calamar' looks more marine-like than plant-like with long, narrow, notably spineless, bluish to apple green leaves. In its native habit it grows festooned on sheer cliffs so provide it with excellent drainage. After 2-4 years, this species will begin to form offsets and, when they mature, each clump will produce an amazing five to seven foot tall flower spike that resembles a giant yellow bottlebrush. The squid agave is perhaps the best hardy century plant for coastal BC. It has survived many winters where others have failed and seems most tolerant of winter wet soils.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

Agave bracteosa ‘Calamar’ is a slow-growing desert plant with rosettes 12-24″ wide. The recurving leaves are pale green and spineless. ‘Calamar’ means squid, and the plant has that sort of ‘many-armed’ appearance. Thrives in the heat of the summer. Agaves are drought tolerant perennials that require slightly alkaline, loose, well-drained soil. Once established, water infrequently during the hot season. Adds bold form and color in the landscape. They are easy care, drought tolerant plant that is great in landscapes and containers.

By: Little Prince of Oregon

Selected by Pat McNeal, this is a non-clumping form of the species, still resembling a bromeliad with lax, spineless leaves that are, in this form, consistently blue-tinted. As with the species, polycarpic and rare in cultivation. Often found clinging to cliff sides, these plants love the cool summer nights of the Northwest. Half sun, well-drained soil, and only occasional summer water. Frost hardy to 10 °F, USDA zone 8.

By: Cistus Nursery

Garden photo gallery of Agave bracteosa 'Calamar'

Photo of Agave bracteosa 'Calamar' foliage by Joshua McCullough

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By: Joshua McCullough

By: Danger Garden

By: Mulchmaid

By: Little Prince of Oregon

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Gardening facts about Agave bracteosa 'Calamar' plant

How to Grow Agave bracteosa 'Calamar'

Sun Exposure
- sun - bright shade
Water Needs
- regular - drought tolerant
Water Needs
- dry in winter
Soil Needs
- average
- lean
- well-drained
- rocky
- gritty
Special Situation
- heat tolerant
- verticillium wilt resistant

Features

Foliage Color
- green
Flower Color
- chartreuse
Wildlife
- deer resistant
- rabbit resistant
Flower Season
- summer
Foliage Season
- evergreen

Landscape groups by tags

See other plant types of Agave for your garden

Agave 'Cornelius'

aka Agave americana 'Cornelius', Agave americana 'Marginata Aurea Monstrosa', Agave americana aureo-marginata, Agave americana aureo-marginata 'Cornelius'