Planting: Annuals & Agaves

I typically plant several pots in my backyard with green-leafed, red-flowering Begonias.  But for some reason, this year, I had a very hard time finding that Begonia flavor.  So I eventually gave in and got a variety of different annuals potted.

White-flowering Begonias

(Begonia x semperflorens-cultorum)

 Polka-dot Plant

(Hypoestes phyllostachya)

Coleus

(Solenostemon scutellarioides variety)

 Coleus 'Carefree Mix'

 (Solenostemon scutellarioides 'Carefree Mix')

Coleus 'Dijon'

Solenostemon scutellarioides 'Dijon'

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 And I finally got around to planting a couple of special Agaves.

Agave 'Joe Hoak'

 

Agave guiengola 'Creme Brulee'

Unfortunately, neither of these Agave varieties are completely cold-hardy here in Austin, so I'll likely need to protect or greenhouse them during the winter.

Succulent Pot Planting

I finally got around to planting some succulents that have been needing a home for several months.

The largest pot contains Gasteria 'Sakura Fuji' in the back left, Gasteria sp. (can anyone identify?) in the back right, Kraal Aloe (Aloe claviflora) in the center, Orthophytum sp. in the front left and Dyckia marnier-lapostollei x Brittle Star in the front right.

Resin Spurge (Euphorbia resinifera) got a small pot of its own.

As did Euphorbia ferox which should eventually spread out over the entire pot.

Planting Plants

It's been Agave planting time.  At the top of my backyard path, I placed a White Striped Century Plant (Agave americana var. medio-picta f. alba) into a pot to become the vocal point and add a splash of brightness there.

In the middle level of my Three Tiers Bed, I added three Agave lophantha 'Quadricolor' to repeat the colors found in the recently planted Yucca 'Color Guard' (Yucca filamentosa 'Color Guard').  This combination replaces the Agaves and Dyckias I lost to last winter's late hard freeze.

On the lowest level of Three Tiers, I replaced another Agave freeze victim with Agave 'Cream Spike'.

I also added some more Salvia coccinea 'Lady in Red' to the same bed as before - so that should complete the front of that bed.