Agaves, Yuccas, and Related Plants

A Gardener's Guide

These exotic natives of the Americas are among the most striking of drought-tolerant plants, and they make wonderful accents in the landscape, providing excellent contrasts to flowering perennial plantings. They can also be massed effectively, and many of the species are small, ideal for use in containers. The authors point out that innovative nurseries and gardeners in cool, humid regions of North America and Europe have shown that many of these plants may be suitable for areas with climates very different from their native range. Full information on cultivation and propagation is provided.

Media reviews of this book:

"This is a must-read for lovers of these spectacular plants...well-organized, friendly, inviting."

—Lauren Springer Ogden, Horticulture, October 2004

"A useful and authoritative new reference."

—William May, American Gardener, January/February 2001

"An excellent introduction to this delightful group ... Mary and Gary Irish have produced a book that will be an invaluable reference for the enthusiast and a source of inspiration for those not yet familiar with these useful and beautiful plants."

—Dean Kelch, Pacific Horticulture, Winter 2001

"An admirable blend of general information with scientific and technical detail."

—Choice, November 2000

"This encyclopedic book supplies all the information you need to succeed with these plants ... Both authors known their subjects extremely well."

—Sunset, July 2000

Customer reviews of this book:

"Best book on the subject I have found!"

—Wendy W. from Surrey, United Kingdom, July 17, 2006

"Very good."

—Martha J. from Roper, North Carolina, October 29, 2005

"Great, useful reference and pictures. I use it often."

—Raymond B. from Radium Springs, New Mexico, September 26, 2005

"Excellent book."

—M. M. R. from Boonville, California, February 2, 2005

"Very well put together. Lots of information."

—Steve S. from Kingman, Arizona, January 31, 2005

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An excerpt from this book:

Most Agave species are monocarpic (blooming once in the life of the plant); only a few species are polycarpic (blooming repeatedly through the life of the plant). Agaves, in general, have large leaves arranged in a spiral along a small, often visible, stem to form a rosette. Rosettes are a common adaptation to desert or arid conditions. This growth form allows water to be directed down the leaves, like a channel, to the root zone. During times of serious drought, the small stem of an agave will shrink, allowing a tiny fissure in the soil around the plant base, further increasing the utility of the rosetts form in channeling water when it does rain ...

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