Plant This: Jaws agave bares its teeth — Rawr!
Doesn’t everyone want a plant with a sharky grin in their gardens? I know I do, and Agave gentryi ‘Jaws’ obliges with half-inch-long thorns that leave shadowy “teeth marks” on each emerald-green leaf as it unfurls.
I planted a 5-gallon ‘Jaws’ agave last summer in a bottomless planter (a rusty metal tractor rim, actually) in my front courtyard garden, and it has already doubled in size. This spot receives no regular irrigation and gets a good dose of the Death Star in the summer, so I do give it a drink of water about once every two weeks in the summer. I refrain from watering my agaves in the winter unless it’s exceptionally dry, and then only about once a month. ‘Jaws’ can handle the cold (it’s hardy to zone 7b), but cold and wet can lead to rot. Good drainage is essential, and a gravel mulch helps with that.
See that little sprig of clover that’s sprung up at the base of the agave? Smart survival strategy, like a remora! No way am I going to reach in there to pull it out.
I love this agave for its wicked teeth and deep-green color, truly an eye-catching combination. Greg Starr, in his book Agaves, says ‘Jaws’ will grow to a height of 3-4 feet and 5-6 feet across, similar to the size of my ‘Whale’s Tongue’ (A. ovatifolia). It’s also slow to offset, another feature I prefer since I don’t fancy having to dig out colonizing agave pups all the time.
So, warm-climate gardeners, are you ready to invite a shark into your garden?
Note: My Plant This posts are written primarily for gardeners in central Texas. The plants I recommend are ones I’ve grown myself and have direct experience with. I wish I could provide more information about how these plants might perform in other parts of the country, but gardening knowledge is local. Consider checking your local online gardening forums to see if a particular plant might work in your region.
All material © 2006-2012 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
Clover and dandelions have been doing that with my barrel cacti. I’m developing all sorts of new swear words. I’ve gotta say, though, it’s amazingly smart since they can “climb” the cactus like a trellis.
Deviously smart! Those weeds sure know how to take advantage of the gardener’s weakness for spiny plants. —Pam
You bet I would have one if it would grow here. I am afraid that it would freeze or drown in my climate. I love that first photo. It looks very sculptural.
Yes, you’d have to bring ‘Jaws’ inside in the winter in Indiana, Lisa. Imagine the thrill of danger of having a shark in the house! —Pam
I looooove your jaws! Rawr is right! Such beautiful teeth!
“Oh, the shark has pretty teeth, dear
And he shows ’em, pearly white”
Now the lyrics from “Mack the Knife” are going through my head. —Pam
Your Jaws is gorgeous! I have a small one that I got this spring and am trying it outside with great drainage but it’s still going to be moist. We’ll see what happens.
Good luck with your ‘Jaws’, Peter. Hey, surely a shark should be able to deal with a little water, right? —Pam
Hah! Had to laugh at the clover. I wouldn’t reach in there either, at least not without putting a chain mail gauntlet on my hand. Like Peter, I also bought a small Jaws Agave this spring, and have it planted in a tall pot with hopefully good drainage. So far, so good. But we still have a whole winter of cold and rain to get through. I love these photos of yours, especially that first one.
‘Jaws’ is obviously tempting gardeners in warm-winter zones across the country! Enjoy yours, Alison. —Pam
I am ready to invite the shark! But I need to find one to invite first 😉
I found mine at the Natural Gardener, Heather. Check with them or other nurseries in late spring, when agave stock will be coming in again. —Pam
Hate when weeds get into the crowns of Agaves and Aloes. So sneaky!
My Agave ‘Jaws’ has been in a clay pot since I was an apartment dweller. I was hoping to get it into the ground this year but the construction on my street has put that thought on hold.
Smart move, Kaveh. Agaves, even one so ferocious as ‘Jaws’, can be vulnerable where heavy equipment is concerned. —Pam
Funny, but last night I just read about Jaws as another promising agave for here in Starr’s book! Nice pics – am still bummed I gave away an A. parrasana ‘Meat Claw’ to a friend and either it froze or it met her 2 sons…
Aw, that’s a bummer. Even ‘Meat Claw’ can’t stand up to determined boys, eh? —Pam
I love it Pam. I think I have one in my garden but not sure about I’d.
Enjoy your mystery agave, Nicole! —Pam
A pair of long handled hemostats works well… you can reach right in and snag those pesky weeds. Still should wear gloves though.
You’re right, Cheryl, and I actually have some medical tools that I use to weed my spiky plants…on occasion. I’m not very good about taking the time to do it though. 🙂 —Pam
Wowzer that’s sharp plant! I was cleaning out the leaves from a yucca and got speared, this one would really hurt! But, it’s a gorgeous attention getter.
It’s beauty and the beast all in one, Gail. —Pam