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| Category: Succulent |
| Family: Agavaceae (now Asparagaceae) |
| Origin: Mexico (North America) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Variegated Foliage: Yes |
| Bloomtime: Infrequent |
| Height: <1 foot |
| Width: <1 foot |
| Exposure: Sun or Shade |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 15-20° F |
| May be Poisonous (More Info): Yes |
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Agave patonii 'Alba Marginata' - A small rosette-forming succulent that grows to only 4 inches tall by about 6 inches wide with olive green leaves margined with cream-colored edges and dark brown spines. The margins occasionally have a seasonal slight flush of red at the leaf tip and base. It grows well in light shade or full coastal sun but may require protection in hotter climates. Plant in a well-drained soil and irrigated little to occasionally. Though good hardiness information on this cultivar has not been fully documented it has been winter hardy unprotected in Santa Barbara and will likely tolerate temperatures down to at least 15 degrees F. It is a great small container plant. This plant is very similar to Agave 'Cream Spike', a plant we helped introduce in 2006. In a collection we received from Alice Waidhofer of Stockton, CA there were two nearly identical plants, one labeled Agave parryi minima 'Variegata' and this plant, which was labeled Agave patonii dwarf 'Variegata'. We originally them identical when the plant labeled Agave parryi minima 'Variegata' was put into a micropropagation program (tissue culture) at Shady Oaks Nursery by Tony Avent, using a plant we had given him, we discontinued working on propagating our stock plants and grew only the tc plants. This first plant was eventually given the name Agave 'Cream Spike' and it has been very popular since its introduction under this name in 2006. For more background information on this cultivar see Agave 'Cream Spike'. Over the years we have noted that many Agave parryi cultivars were being attacked by an insect that we first thought was of mealybug but was later identified as a related insect, Cochineal scale (mostly famous for being crushed to make the crimson red dye that gave British soldiers the name Red Coats). This white tufted insect is stationary and permanently mars the leaves with light yellow spots and where is feeding. It has been so difficult to control that we have stopped growing the plants that have been adversely affected, which unfortunately included Agave 'Cream Spike' but interestingly, this other nearly identical plant has not been so effected and so we are now only growing it, listing it as Agave patonii 'Alba Marginata'.
This information about Agave patonii 'Alba Marginata' displayed on this web page is based on research we have conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations we have made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how our crops have performed in containers in the nursery field. Where appropriate, we will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant.
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