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Beschorneria septentrionalis (False Agave) - A succulent with 2 foot tall by 2 to 3 feet wide rosettes of many glossy gray-green 4 inch wide lanceolate 3-foot-long leaves that arch over gracefully. In spring appear the spear-like flower spikes that eventually branches and rises to 4 to 5 feet tall, flushes a deep reddish pink and holds many dangling long bell-shaped flowers of the same color with green petal tips. The stems fade to green in later summer while holding onto red tinged seed pods.
Plant in full coastal sun to bright shade in a well-drained soil and irrigate occasionally in summer (more regularly in full sun). Cold hardy to at least 10°F and useful in USDA Zones 7 (with some protection) and above. This plant is a unique addition to the meadow or succulent garden and its flowers are attractive to hummingbirds.
Beschorneria septentrionalis is native to northeastern Mexican states of Tamaulipas and Nuevo León where it grows in mountainous dry woodlands. The genus honors the amateur German botanist Friedrich Wilhelm Christian Beschorner (1806-1873). The specific epithet is Latin meaning "of the north" in reference to this plant's origins further to the north than other species in the genus. Our plants from seed collected in 2019 from a cultivated plant growing at the Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek, California.
The information displayed on this page about Beschorneria septentrionalis is based on the research we have conducted about it in our nursery library as well as from information provided by reliable online resources. We also include our own observations made about this plant as it grows in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant have performed in the containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we have received from others and welcome hearing from anyone with information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information that will aid others to better grow it.
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