Yucca gloriosa

25 Oct

Yucca gloriosa detail (16/10/2011, London)

Position: Full Sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Mid to late summer

Soil: Well Drained

Eventual Height: 2.4m

Eventual Spread: 1.8m

Hardiness: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Family: Asparagaceae

Sub Family: Agavoideae

Yucca gloriosa is an evergreen shrub with a spiky architectural habit. Its blue/ green leaves are lanceolate with fine denticulate margins with a sharp brown terminal spine , up to 70cm long and 3.5cm wide. Its white (sometimes tinged purple or red) hermaphrodite pendulous flowers are up to 3.5cm across, appear as a paniculate inflorescence up to 1.5 m tall. Initially the fruits are green, when ripe they are a brownish colour. The seeds are black and quite thickened. Several stems grow from the base, these thicken as they mature.

Yucca gloriosa, commonly known as the Spanish Dagger, Moundlily Yucca, Soft Tipped Yucca, Spanish Bayonet or Sea Islands Yucca, is native to the east coast and barrier islands of the southeastern North America, typically growing on Sand dunes. In collections in Europe and overseas, there are many forms and hybrids mostly created in the 18th and 19th centuries. The first Yucca to be described was Yucca aloifolia, gloriosa and filamentosa, all described by Carl Linne in 1735. The Y. gloriosa has been known to cause skin irritation and even allergic reactions upon contact. The leaf points are even sharp enough to break the skin.

Yucca gloriosa (16/10/2011, London)

The etymological root of the binomial name for Yucca is derived from the Carib (indigenous people of the Caribbean) name for cassava (misapplied to this plant). Gloriosa is derived from the Latin gloriosus ‘full of glory’.

The landscape architect find Yucca gloriosa useful as an accent plant. It looks fantastic when planted en mass, forming an impenetrable barrier. It can tolerate drought conditions and is suitable for exposed coastal planting. Care should be taken when locating this plant due to its spiky nature.

Yucca gloriosa has won the prestigious Royal Horticultural Societies annual Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Yucca gloriosa prefers a well-drained soils. It will tolerate most pH of soil. It can also tolerate drought prone soils.

Yucca gloriosa requires little maintenance. Dead flowers and leaves may be removed from the plant when required.