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Return to Kathy’s Portfolio

What plant will survive that dry,
sunny piece of my yard?

Answer’s from Fulcrum’s The Xeriscape Plant Guide

Yucca species
YUCK-a
Agavaceae—Agave Family

Evergreen Shrub
HEIGHT: 1 to 7 feet
SPREAD: 1 to 4 feet

Landscape Use: An underused accent plant for bold, dramatic touch on the dry landscape.

Form: Large basal rosette with occasional flower spikes rising above the large pointed leaves.

Native Range: Much of North America, most species inhabit arid locations like the desert Southwest. The ones listed below can be established up to 8,500’ in Colorado.

Characteristics:
Flower: depending upon the species, the flower spike may be very short and tucked in among the leaves or rise above several feet; bell shaped, usually white or cream colored, often tinged with purple, more open at night than in the daylight, slight fragrance, will not bloom every year. Pollination depends on the yucca moth. Neither Yucca or the moth can complete its life cycle without the other.
Leaves: tough, leathery bluish green, sword-shaped. Often with coarse fibers at leaf margins.
Fruit: most commonly it is a dry capsule that is easily shaken by the wind.

Culture:
Soil: sandy, fast draining.
Exposure: sun.
Propagation: sow seeds in the fall.
Water: dry with occasional deep soaking.
Hardiness Zones: variable depending.
Life Span: medium, although “pup” formation of the main rosette can make the clump long-lived.

Best Features: Characteristic plant of western-style landscape. Leaves were used by Indians and pioneers to make coarse rope and the roots to make soap. Good for hot, dry, sunny spots where it is difficult to establish vegetation.

Companion Plants: Artemisia tridentata (Big Sage), Salvia sclarea (Clary Sage).

Disadvantages: Leaves have sharp tips, use away from high traffic area such as sidewalks and driveways.

Cultivars and Varieties: Y. glauca (Soapweed)—early summer creamy flowers on 3 to 4 stalks, leaves are about 1-2’ tall, narrow, sharp and gray-green, native to Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region. Y. filamentosa (Adam’s Needle)—tolerates light shade, not as drought tolerant, southeast U.S. origin, white flowers in midsummer on stalks 4-7’ tall above narrow green leaves. Y. baccata (Banana Yucca)—in early summer creamy white flowers emerge on 2’ stalks among 2’ leaves. Leaves are blue green, broad with fibrous margins. Fruit is more fleshy than other species and is edible although not particularly tasty. There are about 40 species but these three are the most commercially available yuccas for the high plains and foothill regions of the Rocky Mountains.

Fulcrum Publishing – 16100 Table Mountain Parkway, Suite 300 – Golden, Colorado 80403
1.800.992.2908 – 303.277.1623 – fulcrum@fulcrum-books.com