I have been gathering succulents and cactus for years now, but much more aggressively this year in preparation of some sort of actual landscaping in the near future.
I have dozens more agaves around the propery in pots, but my main collection is here:
And to break down some of the varieties (and learning as I go):
Agave lophantha ‘Quadricolor’
These are the most abundant in my neighborhood and my late night journeys with the dogs will often end with me returning with 2-3 more to add to the collection. They’re fine looking, but not my favorite given how common they are.
Sharkskin Agave
I bought this one from a nursery a year or two back and then planted it in the front roundabout area. It didn’t die, but for something that’s supposed to be a quick grower, I don’t think it’s ever grown. I dug it up a few months back and potted it until we can find a better destination.
Artichoke Agave
As above, I did the same with this one. Put it back into a pot to let it heal up and grow a bit.
Blue Ice Agave
There’s one house in the neighborhood that has these and outside of which, I’ve never found this agave before in Tucson. It’s likely nurseries will carry it, but certainly not common.
Mexican Fencepost / Mexican Organ Pipe
Matt has a large collection of these all over his property. They’re rather quite expensive at a nursery and he’s allowed me to plunder all different sizes. They look great in a pot.
I have a larger one (maybe 6 or 7 feet) on the back patio, relocated from his place.
Trichocereus spachianus
These are not pleasant to handle. I use tongs because these needles will rip right through thick leather gloves and so painful.
Also, not cheap. A 5 gallon version of this (slightly larger) goes for $75 at this Phoenix nursery.
San Pedro Cactus
I am pretty sure that’s what this. Matt has a massive one that grows out of control and higher than his roof.
Euphorbia Graniticola
This is a small one that has a milky interior fluid which I have no idea how toxic it is.
???
I can’t yet figure out what this one is. I was dumping Matt’s trailer a year ago (so I could fill it with my own crap) and I found this fellow while unloading. More research here will be needed it seems.