Agave gone (:o(

[twodogs]

My garden has several structural features made in the form of large planter boxes (4ft X 2ft X 30 inch deep) intergrated into the decking. The general theme of the garden is a cross between 'Mediterranean' and 'tropical'. Luckily not only is the garden near the South coast (Bournemouth) but faces South and protected on all sides from the wind
So here is the problem.. In the planter boxes I have put in the central position those lovely slim pencil pines that the Italians love so much. On either side of them in the box I 'had' Agave (Vlad the Impaler) and the soil is covered by planting fabric under a 3" layer of white marble chippings. As you can tell the planting within the boxes was meant to be a permanent 'Italian' feature. BUT! although snow is rare down here last winter blitz my garden big time! All the Agave's are gone.
So I need to replace them, and I am reluctant to do it with Agave's again, as there is no way they can be taken in for the winter.
Please, I would love to hear any suggestions for suitable perennial plants of a 'structural' nature, that would look good against white marble chippings and is weather proof as far as anything can be.
My mind has gone blank (not unusual) and I am looking forward to your ideas,
Regards
Twodogs

[Hazel at the Hill]

Hi twodogs & welcome to the Vine.

I'm not sure how tall your agaves are likely to grow, but would it be possible to whizz them round with fleece in bad weather?

Lets face it, this winter has been unusually cold, and if you love 'em, wrapping them up if we look like we're going to have a prolonged cold spell might mean you can keep them?

[Jeanied]

How about a Phormium (New Zealand Flax) probably a bit hardier than Agave. Nice range of different colours - here is a red one.

[twodogs]

Hi twodogs & welcome to the Vine.

I'm not sure how tall your agaves are likely to grow, but would it be possible to whizz them round with fleece in bad weather?

Lets face it, this winter has been unusually cold, and if you love 'em, wrapping them up if we look like we're going to have a prolonged cold spell might mean you can keep them?

Been there, did that, got the frozen T shirt. ()
The ones in pots in the shed died too but the big Agave Americana (usually more tender) survived in the shed and is even having babies! Mind you extracting the little suckers (sic) from the parent plant can be very painful!

[twodogs]

How about a Phormium (New Zealand Flax) probably a bit hardier than Agave. Nice range of different colours - here is a red one.

Yes indeed we do have several already in the ground and they do add great structure and height to any garden scheme. Unfortunately they are too quick growing and too tall in relation to the pencil pines (I can't think of their botanical name apart from 'Straightuperrssii blueygreyii')

So... I 'spose I should be asking for suggestions for ..Perennial, low growing
(12" max), architectural, typical of a warm/hot climate looking plant. Easy peasy (Well for everyone except me it seems)

Desperate of Bournemouth

[vicky]

(Cupressus sempervirens)
Yuccas, phormiums and cordylines are more hardy than argaves but still not reliably so.
What about some box - you can clip it to whatever shape you fancy (cloud pruning is cool)
Bamboo - too tall?
Or something you bring inside like Aeoniums
Artichokes are pretty structural too, but herbaceous (also gunnera?)