Greant Plant Picks: A yucca you may like-a
Published 12:28 pm Wednesday, March 18, 2009
WHAT: Curve-leaf yucca, also known as yucca recurvifolia, is a woody evergreen perennial with strong architectural qualities uncommon in most Northwest gardens. Its sharp-tipped, sword-shaped leaves stand out to form a spiky sphere.
WHY PLANT IT: Long, slender foliage gracefully bends from the tips to form a stately specimen as it matures. Once this plant is mature, tall flower spikes tower high above the foliage, carrying dozens of lantern-shaped white flowers in mid- to late summer.
WHERE: Yuccas are drought tolerant once established and are adaptable to most garden soils if they have good drainage. They prefer a well-drained or sandy soil, but will tolerate heavy clay. Their best growth is in full sun. Plants will tolerate part shade, but they will flower less, if at all.
HOW: Consider using yuccas’ spiky texture in containers. Mix them with sedums, low-growing ornamental grasses or rock rose. Removal of dead and damaged leaves can be done in fall or winter.
ACTUAL SIZE: This clump-forming woody perennial produces multiple rosettes on slow-growing trunks that reach up to 6 feet tall in 10 years. Dry sites and poor soils can slow growth. Lance-shaped leaves are blue-green and grow to about 18 inches long.
LEARN MORE: See www. greatplantpicks.org.
Source: Great Plant Picks
