Designing with SucculentsHow to incorporate succulents and cacti into your garden design
Color Guard ( Yucca filamentosa ) . pic by : Proven Winners .
Sentinels of the southwestern desert , yuccas are passing drouth large-minded and store urine in their trunks or bulbous radical . Their foliage grows in stem canker form either at ground level or on stalks , trunks or branches . Many have leave that are razor sharp and spine tipped , earning them common epithet of Spanish bayonet and Spanish dagger .
Yuccas are irksome - agriculturalist and want almost no maintenance to survive . Their ruggedness is both a virtue and a vice , as they can be nearly unacceptable to get rid of once firmly prove and larger clopping types may take over .
On this Thomas Nelson Page : Yucca Basics|Planting Instructions|Care|Pictures|Design Tips|Growing Indoors
YUCCA BASICS
Zones:
Range from zone 5 to 11 , depend on type .
Height/Spread:
Varies by type . Smaller variety can be 2 to 4 feet tall and encompassing , and larger tree type can reach 30 feet improbable and spread to 25 feet wide with runner . If offsets are allowed to remain , lump can mature to be many times the size of the case-by-case works .
Exposure:
Full Sunday . A lack of sunshine can cause spindly foliage growth and decreased flowering .
Bloom time:
Varies by type ; some will begin flower in spring and others mid - to - recent summer . Most varieties will flower annually throughout their animation — these are called polycarpic perennial . There are also monocarpic potpourri , likeHesperoyucca whipplei(syn . Yucca whipplei ) , that flower only once then slowly decline and die , similar to many of their closelipped relatives , Agavespp ..
Color and characteristics:
leaf can be thick or thin ; usually long and minute , sword - shaped , pricker - tipped and put in rosettes . foliation on some can be razor sharp-worded . blossom blossom on large stubble that emerge from the centerfield of the plant , some over 10 feet magniloquent . Flowers are commonly white or cream , and some variety may have a hint of pinkish , over-embellished or greenish .
Toxicity:
The sharp and spiny nature of some yucca is usually enough to steer creature ( and citizenry ) out . However , if they are ingested , they can be reasonably toxic to cat , dogs , and homo .
Yucca vs. yuca:
Yuccas are no coitus to yucas ( one ‘ speed of light ’ ) , although they are quite often , understandably , confused . Yuca , also usually known as Cassava , is a plant with eatable , buckram tubers / roots that tapioca and cassava flour are made from . The roots of the yucca plant are not edible .
HOW TO PLANT YUCCA
When to plant:
startle seeds indoors at any fourth dimension , or outdoors in spring . To start audacious varieties outside , spring temperatures should be 55 to 65 ° farad . waitress until temperature are 66 to 75 ° atomic number 9 for more tippy form .
Where to plant:
Select an area that receives fond to full Dominicus , but most importantly , a location that is well - draining . Yuccas will develop root rot quite easily if there is residual or standing body of water . When choose a location , consider the mature sizing of the yucca plant , as some grow to be quite large . Locate in areas where they can be appreciate , but not where their incisive , thorny farewell can be circumstantially bumped into ; away from walkway and dally areas . Massive antecedent structures can grow over time that have the power to crack up foundations , disrupt retaining paries , and invade pool and irrigation pipes . These large source structures are extremely difficult to get rid of and any remnants left behind can grow more yuccas .
How to plant:
Soak seeds for 24 hours prior to constitute to help with sprouting , or fret with Baroness Dudevant paper to pock the surface . plant life at a deepness of one to two seed distance . Keep the seeded player moderately moist , and you should begin to see signs of germination in about 3 to 4 weeks . Transplant the seedling at about 8 workweek into bigger pots or lasting location . See more about growing from offsets below , under Propagation .
Other:
Yucca outgrowth is quite slow and variable , specially if originate from cum . It may take a few years until they flower .
YUCCA PLANT CARE
Pruning:
Although technically not deal pruning , keep up your works by bring down utter or damaged leaves can be done at any time . Cutting the industrial plant back to melt off its size should be done in early spring , mighty before the originate season .
Soil:
Yuccas are n’t particular about the type of soil they populate in , other than it must be well - draining to forfend rot .
Amendments & fertilizer:
Although yuccas sincerely thrive on neglect , a balanced limpid fertilizer can be apply monthly during outflow and summertime , and may be especially good to yuccas turn indoors .
Watering:
Yuccas are super drought tolerant , but will look easily with even watering of about an in per week during fountain and summer , along with an occasional thick soaking . They ’ll call for less water over winter . Yellow leaves and/or soft roots can be a sign of overwatering .
Propagation:
young starts can be grown from outgrowth , root cutting off or seed . If propagating from offset , remove them in springiness , strip off any leaf , and plant life . Water them well to start and keep them protect until root are growing .
ascendent cut can be taken in winter or spring from mature plant . Dig down and slew a 3 - in section from the existing root structure . Keep the cutting in a cool , dry office for a couple of twenty-four hour period before planting . Place it in pot soil and in a location where it will invite indirect light . Roots should begin to develop in about three to four calendar week .
See above in How to implant for more entropy on grow from seed . unfolding yuccas may need some help by hand pollinating them so as to create seminal fluid . Note that only specie plants will come true from seed and not all seed will be fertile .
Diseases and pests:
Although there are no serious insect or disease problems , cane rock drill , surmount insectsand fungal leaf spots can occur . Brown leaf smudge can often be because of overhead watering , so it ’s always good to water at the base of the flora . Stem hogwash is one of the most common problems with yuccas , but can be void with well - enfeeble soil .
Due to their sharp and spiny nature , yuccas are deer resistant .
Yucca moths:
At night , yucca flower emit a fragrance that draw yucca moth . They ’re vital contributor to the plant ’s survival as their only pollinator . In return , yucca are the only horde plant for the moths . Most yucca moth have whitened wing that help them commingle in with the blossom they pollinate and then lay their eggs in . Their caterpillars feed on the germ , but leave some behind so the plant can re - seed itself .
TYPES OF YUCCA PLANTS
Photo by Proven Winners .
Yucca filamentosa’Color Guard'—Buy now from Proven Winners
4 - 10
2 to 3 substructure marvellous and broad
Partial to full sun
Mid - summer
Color:
Striped creamy white to blench yellow and unripe leaves , white flowers
This cold - hardy yucca contribute colour to dry garden . Suitable for undivided container or mess planting . handle wind , heat , humidness and drought well .
Photo by : Garden World Images , Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo .
Yucca gloriosa‘Bright Star ’
7 - 11
Averages 1 to 2 feet tall , 3 to 5 ft wide
Full sun
recent summer
Yellow and green stripy leaves , flower stalks with pinkish buds that open with ashen heyday
This cold-blooded - intrepid variety handgrip temperatures down to 0 ° F and brightens up a dry garden . Its leafage will take on a pinkish hue with cooler temperature or in times of drouth . Will develop a short trunk over time .
Yucca rostrataCommonly called Big Bend or peck yucca
12 to 16 feet tall , 6 to 8 foot broad
Summer
Gray - blue leaves , blooms with a stalk of bloodless flowers when ripe
One of the most cosmetic varieties , stiff leave form a slow treetop atop a single luggage compartment .
Photo by : Walters Gardens , Inc.
Yucca filamentosa‘Excalibur’Commonly called Adam ’s needle yucca
5 - 10
18 to 24 inches marvelous , 36 in full
Early to mid - summertime
shade of grey - green leaf , white
This smaller , cold - hardy variety is stark in perennial beds and rock gardens . The leaves are edged with curly livid filament that contribute overall sake to the flora .
Photo by : Vladimir Zaplakhov / Shutterstock .
Yucca aloifoliaCommonly called Spanish bayonet or aloe yucca
8 - 11
Up to 20 fundament tall , 4 animal foot wide of the mark , and with clumps to 10 foot wide
other summer
light-green leave , cream to white flowers
The leave of this yucca are passing sharp , hence the common name of Spanish bayonet . This species often spring great clunk with multiple offsets . It handles both drought and humidity well .
photograph by Garden World Images Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo .
Yucca flaccida’Golden Sword’Commonly call up Adam ’s needle yucca
4 - 9
3 to 4 foot grandiloquent , 5 feet wide
outpouring
vary yellow and green foliage , white flowers on 4 to 6 foot stalks
Another cold - hardy variety that will clear up up a drought - resistant garden with its variegated foliage and fragrant flower in spring . This assortment will eventually grow to forge clumps . Also act upon well in container .
Photo by : Duncan Selby / Alamy Stock Photo .
Yucca whipplei(syn . Hesperoyucca whipplei)Commonly call chaparral yucca or our Lord ’s candle
2 to 3 human foot tall , 3 to 4 substructure wide
spicy - green foliage ,
Sage - green leaves , creamy white prime
Flower spike reach out up to 13 feet tall , with 600 + flowers . However , this only happens once on this monocarpic yucca , and then the plant slowly dies .
pic by : Oleg Kovtun Hydrobio / Shutterstock .
Yucca brevifoliaCommonly called Joshua tree diagram
6 - 10
15 to 40 foot marvellous
outflow , but not every year
Green foliage , creamy yellow - green flowers
Iconic symbol of the Mojave Desert and probably the most well - know of all yuccas , with a national car park named after it . These bombastic yucca Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree have branches that bend down or dumbfound out at unmatched angle . Cold tolerant once demonstrate .
exposure by : Blickwinkel / Alamy Stock Photo .
Yucca baccataCommonly call banana yucca
2 to 3 feet improbable , with thump to 10 feet wide
Blue - dark-green leaves with curly white filaments , green or purple - ting white flowers
diminished , edible , banana tree - like yield form after the flowers are gone .
picture by : Interfoto / Alamy Stock Photo .
Yucca gloriosa‘Variegata’Commonly called Spanish dagger yucca
6 - 11
4 to 5 feet tall and wide
Blue - unripened folio with yellow edges that relieve to cream off
This variegated yucca adds color and texture to perennial beds . plant will develop short trunks after several eld .
Photo by : Sundry Photography / Shutterstock .
Yucca schidigeraCommonly call Mojave yucca
Up to 16 foot grandiloquent , 5 feet wide
saturnine green leaves with curly white-hot filaments , cream to livid bloom
This coinage reproduces only by come and does not give rise offsets , but older plants will separate .
Photo by : Nil Kulp / Shutterstock .
Yucca elephantipesCommonly called spineless yucca or giant yucca
9 - 11
Outdoors , up to 25 foot marvellous and broad with offshoot ; indoors to 10 feet tall .
Full sun outdoors , plenty of collateral faint indoors
Spring or summer
Green foliage , bloom with white flowers
This selection is often grow as a houseplant because of its somewhat soft leaves . This plant will grow quite large out-of-doors if left on its own , subsist up to its common name of jumbo yucca .
Photo by : IrinaK / Shutterstock .
Yucca elataCommonly called soaptree yucca
6 to 20 feet tall , 10 ft wide
Late leap
Green leaves with whitened edge and white curly filament , snowy flush
This industrial plant has long , minute leaves with crisp tips . It grows well in flaxen plains , dune and desert grassland . It gets its name from a soapy material in its roots and bole .
