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Agave attenuata 'Kara's Stripes' PP 19,444 (Variegated Fox Tail Agave) - A beautiful Agave that was only been made widely available starting in the Summer of 2007 through the miracle of micropropagation (tissue culture). Agave attenuata 'Kara's Stripes' has wonderful broad soft butter-yellow leaves with narrow green marginal stripes. As with the other Foxtail Agaves (Agave attenuata) this plant presents to the gardener none of the dangers that its spine-covered relatives do. Though this cultivar will be slower growing it will likely form a clump to 3 to 4 feet or more tall by even wider with many rosettes of pliable leaves that emerge from a tight central spear to arch gracefully back towards the ground. We have not seen any variegated Agave attenuata selections flower, but likely 'Kara's Stripes' will eventually do so and have the typical 5-to-10-foot vertical flower stalk that reflexes back towards the ground, bearing pale greenish yellow flowers.
Plant in full coastal sun to shade (brighter light brings out the best color in this variegated plant) in a relatively well-drained soil and water occasionally to very little - looks best with regular to some irrigation. Tolerates seaside conditions. The Foxtail Agave will usually be damaged in temperatures below 28° F - protect this one more, especially when young as we have noted the variegated plants to be a little more tender than the species. Protect also from snails which can really disfigure the plant. Agave attenuata 'Kara's Stripes' was discovered by bay area plantsman Gary Gragg of Golden Gate Palms & Exotics Nursery, who removed it as a sport emerging from a plant growing in his garden and named it for his wife. It holds US Plant Patent 19,444 granted in November 2008 and was originally going to be marketed in the U.S. through PlantHaven but was turned back over to Gary Gragg for him to self-market the plant and he licensed us to propagate and grow it.
This information about Agave attenuata 'Kara's Stripes' PP 19,444 displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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