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Agave attenuata 'Raea's Gold' (Golden Fox Tail Agave) – An interesting and attractiveAgave that has broad soft butter-yellow leaves when grown in full coastal sun. As with other Foxtail Agaves (A. attenuata) this plant presents to the gardener none of the dangers that its spine-covered relatives do. Though this cultivar will be slow 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 'Raea's Gold'' 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 light shade - the brighter light brings out the best color but this plant may need to be grown with some protection in hotter areas. Give relatively well-drained soil and water occasionally. 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 are a little more tender than the species. Protect also from snails which can really disfigure the plant.
Agave attenuata 'Raea's Gold' was discovered as a vegetative sport of Agave attenuata 'Kara's Stripes', by Hans Hansen in at Shady Oaks Nursery in Waseca, Minnesota. This plant was named by bay area plantsman Gary Gragg for his daughter Raea. Mr Gragg, who owns Golden Gate Palms & Exotics Nursery, also discovered and holds the plant patent rights for 'Kara's Stripes'. San Marcos Growers began trials on Agave attenuata 'Rea's Gold' in 2007 and it was first released for sale in the summer of 2008.
This information about Agave attenuata' Raea's Gold' 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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