The new Mangaves on the block

As if there weren’t already enough maddeningly gorgeous Mangave to choose from already, two new varieties have joined the Mad about Mangave® series!

 

What are the new varieties?

The latest additions to the series are Mangave ‘Blazing Saddles’ and Mangave ‘Lavender Lady’ – and they really suit their names! ‘Blazing Saddles’ is a deep and fiery red colour, dotted with a warm green throughout its leaves. Meanwhile, ‘Lavender Lady’ forms a tight rosette with lavender-blue at the centre and green on the outer leaves. Each represents a very different personality!

(Left: ‘Blazing Saddles’, right: ‘Lavender Lady’)

 

How do they compare?

 

Mangave ‘Blazing Saddles’	Mangave ‘Lavender Lady’
Size: 20cm (H) x 35cm (W) Hardiness: hardy to -5 degrees Celsius Location: Pots and mixed containers, rockery, indoors Soil: Well draining Light: Full sun Water: Drought tolerant Care: Place indoors during winter in cold climates	Size: 25cm (H) x 40cm (W) Hardiness: hardy to -5 degrees Celsius Location: Pots and mixed containers, rockery, indoors Soil: Well draining Light: Full sun Water: Drought tolerant Care: Place indoors during winter in cold climates

 

‘Lavender Lady’

About the Mad about Mangave® series

Developed by accident after an unintentional cross pollination was discovered amongst a batch of Manfreda seedlings, Mangave has since been developed by breeder Hans Hansen, resulting in a wealth of truly unique varieties.

Hans has been able to make thousands of crosses, and selected the most distinctive, exotic looking plants to add to the collection. You can discover more of the backstory surrounding these extraordinary plants here.

Mangave plants are a joy to look at and care for, as they have beautiful form, are fast growers, grow with soft spines (no painful spikes in most varieties!) and look great when planted solo or together with other succulents.

Not only that, but they’re a plant for the future! Mangave are drought tolerant, which is a necessary trait for plants as we begin to experience increasingly hot, dry summers. Find out about more climate-proof plants here.

‘Blazing Saddles’

Where to plant Mangave

Mangave can make a big impact in any garden, whether it’s a balcony, patio, rockery or border. As mentioned earlier, each variety is selected for its unique appearance, so any Mangave you choose can become a focal point in your garden. You can make even more of a splash by placing several varieties together, or planting up a single Mangave in a mixed container with other succulents.

Mangave also make excellent indoor plants! An eye-catching alternative to your average succulent, these plants can be kept to a small size by reducing watering – or, if you love those huge, architectural forms, water well and watch your Mangave grow day by day!

One thing you need to make sure of is that your Mangave plant is positioned in an area with full sun. Even when overwintering inside, Mangave needs to be exposed to sunlight – placing them in front of a south facing window would be ideal. They also need a well-draining soil, as too much water can cause them to rot!

Where can I buy Mangave?

Mangave is available from Suttons and Thompson & Morgan in the UK, Giromagi and Babypalms in Europe, and Mountain Crest Gardens and Planet Desert in the USA.

 

Plant of the Month is sponsored by Plantipp, a company based in The Netherlands who handle the introduction of new plants into Europe.

See every Plant of the Month here.

Images courtesy of Plantipp.