Plant Details

This evergreen shrub has a strong architectural quality not often found in our Northwest gardens. Its sharp-tipped, sword-shaped leaves stand out in a spiky sphere and make a strong statement in any border or specimen planting. The long slender foliage is lined with curly white filament-like threads, giving the plant its botanical name, Yucca filamentosa. Once yuccas mature, tall flower spikes that can reach 6 feet or more carry dozens of pendulous, lantern-shaped creamy white flowers in mid to late summer. Yuccas are extremely easy to grow and adapt to most soils so long as there is good drainage.

Yuccas adapt well to most garden soils. This plant prefers a well-drained or sandy soil but is tolerant of clay and is very drought tolerant once established. The best growth and flowering occur in full sun. Although it will tolerate light or open shade, it is less likely to flower. Once established, yearly removal of the oldest, dead or damaged leaves in the fall or winter is recommended. The rosettes of foliage that flower will die after the bloom fades, but new side pups quickly re-sprout to form new plants.

Yucca filamentosa is native to the eastern United States and was one of the first North America plants grown in British gardens in the sixteenth century.

(Source: Great Plant Picks)