Common name: Queen Victoria agave

Description: One of the most architecturally striking of all agaves, Agave victoriae-reginae forms a dense, symmetrical rosette of dark green, triangular leaves boldly edged in white. Each leaf is tipped with a single dark spine, giving the plant an almost geometric precision. Slow-growing but exceptionally long-lived, it develops into a compact dome rarely exceeding 50cm, making it ideal for containers or gravel gardens. Mature plants eventually produce a tall flower spike, though flowering marks the end of the plant's life cycle.

Other benefits: excellent for containers, architectural specimen, drought tolerant, low maintenance, deer resistant

Height & spread (approx.) at 10 years: 0.4m x 0.5m

Position: Full sun; sheltered from prolonged wet and frost; ideal in a south-facing aspect

Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline; adaptable to most well-drained soils

Moisture: Very drought tolerant once established; requires sharply drained soil; avoid waterlogging

Winter hardiness: Cold hardy to approximately -5°C; best overwintered under cover in the UK