Have you driven by the Farmville fire station recently? More importantly, did you see that wild child plant blooming there in late June through early July? Yes, the one with the bloom stalk that was at least 14 to 15 feet tall. I hope you did because it’s special. It’s a whale’s tongue agave (Agave ovatifolia).

We don’t usually expect to see agaves growing happily in flower beds in Virginia, but this one is different. It’s quite content here in zone 7. The whale’s tongue agave is native to the Sierra Lampazos Mountains in Nuevo Leon in northeastern Mexico, an area with a relatively temperate climate but little rain. It was discovered on a botanizing expedition in the 1980s and immediately recognized as a new species. It was given the scientific name Agave ovatifolia in 2001, and since then has become popular in the specialty nursery trade. Both plants grown from tissue culture and seeds are now available.

The whale’s tongue agave can grow as large as 3 to 4 feet wide and perhaps 5 feet tall. The leaves have a powdery silver blue color and sharply toothed edges. They are very wide — up to 11 inches — and cupped, hence the name whale’s tongue. When this agave blooms, the tall bloom spike is topped with yellowish green flowers, which are very attractive to bees.

The whale’s tongue agave is relatively easy to grow here. It can withstand our hot humid summers and cold winters, but is susceptible to rot caused by winter rain and snow accumulating in the rosette. For the best results, choose a location with some protection and room for growth. This is not a plant that you want to transplant. Even if you’re wearing gloves and long sleeves, the fierce spines on the leaves can do serious damage to your skin. Plant the whale’s tongue up on a mound in sandy soil that drains quite well. Both the mound and sandy soil are essential for preventing winter rot.

So how do we happen to have one of these fascinating plants in Farmville? Why, the town horticulturist, of course. He has a special fondness for this plant and has placed several around town. You know, you just might need one of these agaves in your home garden. Imagine the impact a group of them would make. You’d be the talk of the neighborhood.

CYNTHIA WOOD is a Master Gardener, writer and photographer. Her email is cynthiacrewe2393@gmail.com