Yucca

Family: Agavaceae

Native to drier regions of Central and North America, these exotic, evergreen plants add a dramatic touch to a garden. They form rosettes of long, dagger-like leaves, usually tipped with a sharp spine, some species developing a trunk with age. Most have very striking inflorescences of drooping, white, bell-shaped flowers. In the past, in their native lands, yuccas have proÂvided fiber for clothing, rope and twine, and the leaves have been used for basket-making and thatch. The young flowering shoots, fruits and flowers of some species were also used as food. Today, saponins obtained from the green fruits and seeds of some species are used to make soap, dental powders and pastes. In its homeland, Y. filifera is a source of paper pulp. Some species die after flowering, but by this time offsets will have been produced.

Species

Y. aloifolia, Spanish bayonet or dagger plant, zone 9, is a tall, branched shrub, up to 8 m (26 ft) high, developing a trunk when mature. It has the typical stiff, erect leaves and a tall, thick inflorescence composed of large, cream flowers, held above the foliage.

Y. breviÂfolia, Joshua tree, zone 8, is a tree-like species, the short leaves forming tufts at the ends of twisted branches. It is very slow growing, to around 13 m (43 ft). Rarely seen in cultivation outside south-western United States, it has greenish white flowers on a long, erect flower spike.

Y. filamentosa, Adam's needle, zone 7, has a short trunk and a tall, narrow flower spike. Threads of curly fiber peel away from the leaf margins.

Y. whipplei, Our Lord's candle, zone 8, is a spectacular species, but dies after flowering. It is a stemless type, to 1 m (3 ft) high, with very stiff, narrow, blue-green leaves. The infloresÂcence of scented white flowers stands above the foliage, on stems to 2 m (6 ft) high.

Cultivation

Yuccas are easy plants to grow in the right climate, and thrive in well-drained, sandy soil, in full sun. In unsuitable climates, tender species can be grown in a cool greenhouse. Propagate in spring from rooted suckers.