Good news, bad news
>> Monday, March 17, 2014 –
succulents,
winter damage
I was going to write this post as a negative piece, but my gardener's optimism told me that Monday morning should start in a positive way. So it's a good news, bad news post now -- and I'll start with the good news: I have a new bed I can plant in now!
The bad news though is the reason for this available space: things are not looking very good with the Agaves. And by "not looking good" I really mean that even though things haven't warmed up yet I know that there's nothing left alive here. No chance.
Here's what they looked like when first planted:
Let's take a look at them up close though, so I can prove to you that there is no hope:
Interesting variegation -- oh, how I wish that's what this was.
The next one looks even worse:
What about the third, the little A. parryi 'J.C. Raulston'?
Yikes. Maybe it's the harsh contrast lighting of the afternoon sun that is making this look worse than it is?
Nope -- it looks even worse when imaged in shade.
Let's try the shade trick with that first plant again...
Yeah, that's a dead-to-the-core agave.
It had two little pups -- maybe they fared better?
It sure doesn't look that way, but there's a little more time before I have to clear this bed for planting so we'll see. Eternal optimism, right?
(I'm pretty certain that I'll plant my other cholla and my Yucca rostrada here, but I may want to add even more gravel to the soil first.)
Did you have any good news in your springtime garden this past weekend?
.
You know what they say: If you haven't killed hundreds, maybe thousands of plants, you're not trying enough new things or furthering your knowledge -- you're stagnating. Congratulations, and here's to spring, the yearly start of the great roll of dice that is life. Thanks for sharing your failures with us! -Beth
Oh man, so sorry to see this. Your winter was just too brutal. Did you have them covered during the worst of it? Willing to give agaves another try?
Supreme bummer (I used to have a friend for which that was the ultimate statement). I am so sorry to see this plant death is never a welcome occurrence for me.