Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Getting up close to spiky plants – Aloes and Agaves

Happy Cactus Monday.

These photos were taken outside the Melbourne Botanical Garden. There is a 4 km jogging track around the garden, and a section is planted with succulents. I see the succulents whenever I drive past. Last week, I was finally able to get close on my bicycle, to take some photos. I was enthralled – there were lots of varieties of succulents; some of which I have only seen in books or on the web.

In this post, I would like to share a few photos of Aloes and Agaves.

Aloe © Evelyn Howard 2009 

Agave © Evelyn Howard 2009

Aloe © Evelyn Howard 2009 

Agave © Evelyn Howard 2009

The Agave above is huge – taller than me. I felt small and vulnerable when I got up close!

Agave © Evelyn Howard 2009

The last photo shows my favourite Agave. I wish mine would hurry up and grow big.

And finally, an illustration of my Aloe, which grows happily in a pot on my balcony. It has given me a few offshoots, which are now growing independently.

SucculentSpiky

Have a wonderful week.

Please visit Teri’s Painted Daisies for more Cactus Monday posts.

11 comments:

Darla said...

Very interesting plants.

Tootsie said...

Mine are all in pots! yours look incredibly healthy!

Diane AZ said...

Those succulents look so healthy, amazing all the different colors they come in. I like your aloe illustration!

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

It's already December there I see, still November here :)
Those are some amazing plants! I really don't think I appreciated agaves much until recently seeing more and more pictures of them. They are like sculptures.

NotSoAngryRedHead said...

How fun! Great pics!

Margaret Ann said...

What a fabulous selection of plants... I have always been attracted to agaves... I love their form and blooms...Your drawing is great! Happy Cactus Monday across the seas! :)

SandyCarlson said...

Sensational, indeed!

yoon see said...

Wow! Your shots are great and your sketch is fantastic!
Love them all:)
My favourite is the 3rd one:)

Bye!

Noelle Johnson said...

Hello Evelyn,

I just love, love Agave and Aloes. We are able to grow so many different types here. I like your photo of the Aloe vera and the huge Agave americana.

Christina, Sweden said...

I have an agave to, inside in my windowsill though but now it so big I dont know what to do with it as Its impossible to have outside here
You have great photos of different types, thanks for showing!

Christina, Sweden

Catherine said...

ooooooooh love'em!

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