Agave Sharkskin aka ‘Sharkskin Agave’
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Agave Sharkskin aka ‘Sharkskin Agave’ has a handsome hemispherical form at maturity which consists of beautiful thick, triangular leaves of a gray-green color. A naturally occurring hybrid of Agave ferdinandi x Agave scabra, Agave Sharkskin’s striking architectural form is great in containers and the agave is perfect for cactus and succulent gardens and xeriscape plantings and borders. The plant develops to a maximum size of about 3′ and the leaves, which retain a lacy pattern of the leaf buds as they open, are considered to have a texture somewhat similar to that of the skin of a shark.
While there are no marginal spines on its leaves, Agave Sharkskin does have dark brown, contrasting-colored, long sharp terminal spines which can be clipped if desired particularly if the plants are close to pedestrian traffic.
Agave Sharkskin is very slow growing and offsets slowly to form pretty clumps. As a monocarpic hybrid, the agave rarely blooms. When it does, it sends up a 20-foot flower spike of mostly infertile flowers after which the rosette dies.
Horticultural Data
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Names and Synonyms: Agave ‘Sharkskin Shoes’, Agave ‘Ruth Bancroft’, Hort., ‘Sharkskin Shoes’, Agave nickelsiae x scabra ‘Sharkskin’, Agave asperrima x ferdinandi-regis, Agave ferdinandi-regis x scabra, Agave asperrima x victoriae-reginae, Agave scabra x victoriae-reginae
Common Names: ‘Sharkskin Agave’
Family: Agavaceae
Origin: Mexico – as a naturally occurring hybrid
Size Label: 1 Gallon
Height: 2-3’
Width: 3-4’
Cold Tolerance: 20 to 25°F, -6.7 to -3.9°C
Heat Tolerance: Very high heat tolerance
Light Requirement: Full sun to light shade in hot inland sunny climates
Water needs: Very drought tolerate. Can take light irrigation in hot summer weather.
Maintenance: Clip terminal spines if desired.
Uses: Agave Sharkskin’s striking architectural form is great in containers. This small, clumping agave is perfect for cactus and succulent gardens and xeriscape plantings and borders. However, its sharp terminal spines require it be located away from pedestrian traffic. This plant is deer and rodent resistant and it needs well-draining soils.
Propagation: Remove offsets and replant them. Seeds do not germinate or come true for this hybrid.
Problems: Root rot in cold, wet, poor draining soils
Research Links:
http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=2874
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/62864/
http://plantlust.com/plants/agave-sharkskin-shoes/
Shipping & Availability
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There is a minimum purchase of any 4 plants for online orders. All plants shipped bare root. Other sizes may be available for pick up from our growing grounds in Fallbrook, CA. For more information, give us a call at 760-990-4762.
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