Yucca filamentosa 'Color Guard' |
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Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.
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| | Common Name: Adam's Needle
Common Name (Alternative): Yucca |
Tough as nails, yuccas are the ideal plant for a no-maintenance garden. Their sword-like foliage radiates upward from a central crown, remaining upright all year round except in the heaviest snows. It combines nicely with all kinds of mounded foliage plants. 'Color Guard' bears bright creamy-yellow leaves with green edges. During the cooler months of fall and winter, the light leaf centers take on rose overtones.
From early to midsummer, spectacular sturdy flower stalks rise 3-4 feet tall from the center of the plant. The individual bell-shaped, creamy white flowers are 2-3 inches long and dangle from the stems like earrings.
Origin: Native Cultivar
Characteristics:
Height:
2-3 Feet
Spread:
1.5-2 Feet
Scape Height:
3-4 Inches
Flower Color:
White Shades
Foliage Color:
Variegated
Sun or Shade?:
Full sun (> 6 hrs. direct sun)
Part shade (4-6 hrs. direct sun)
Wet or dry?:
Low water needs
Average water needs
Need critter resistant plants?:
Deer resistant
Rabbit resistant
How fast should it grow?:
Medium
When should it bloom?:
Early summer
Midsummer
Looking for seasonal interest?:
Evergreen (in some or all zones)
How's your soil?:
Poor Soil
Average Soil
Fertile Soil
Sweet or Sour Soil?:
Acidic Soil (pH < 7.0)
Neutral Soil (pH = 7.0)
Alkaline Soil (pH > 7.0)
What's your garden style?:
Eclectic
Yuccas thrive in any type of well-drained soil including those that are very dry. Though they will grow in partial shade, they reach their full potential only if they receive sun all day long. Many yuccas do not bloom until they are mature. Once they start, though, you will see that they were worth the wait. The flower stalks retain some ornamental value after the blooms have faded. Mature plants sometimes develop plantlets near their base. These can be dug and transplanted elsewhere if desired.