Dracaena goldieana

Dracaena goldieana (28/02/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: All year round

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 3m (usually less in cultivation)

Eventual Spread: 1m

Hardiness: 11, 12, 13

Family: Asparagaceae

Subfamily: Nolinoideae

Dracaena goldieana is a slow growing tropical evergreen shrub with an upright habit. When young  this plant usually has a single stem, as it matures it may branch. Its dark green leaves have grey/ green banding, are ovate with entire margins, are up to 25cm long and 13cm across. Its small white bell shaped flowers appear on stems which emerge from its leaves.

Dracaena goldieana Leaf (28/02/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Dracaena goldieana, commonly known as Green Zebra Plant, Zebra Striped Dragon Tree, is native to tropical west tropical Africa. In its native habitat it grows as a tropical woodland understory plant.

The etymological root of the binomial name Dracaena is derived from the Greek drakaina meaning ‘she dragon’. Goldieana is named after Hugh Goldie, a 19th century missionary.

The landscape architect may find Dracaena goldieana useful as an attractive foliage houseplant suitable for atrium type planting schemes.

Ecologically, Dracaena goldieana flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

Dracaena goldieana Stem (28/02/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Dracaena goldieana prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

When maintaining Dracaena goldieana as a houseplant its soil should be watered regularly and sparingly, the soil should never be wet. Watering should be reduced during the winter months. Its preferred active growing temperature rages from between 18ºc to 28ºc. Feeding with weak fertiliser solution should be carried out once a month during the growing season.



Landscape Architecture

Agave difformis

Agave difformis (28/02/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun

Flowering period: Late spring to early summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 90cm

Eventual Spread: 120m

Hardiness:  8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 11

Family: Asparagaceae

Sub Family: Agavoideae

Agave difformis is an evergreen, rosette forming perennial shrub. Its fleshy grey/ green leaves are lanceolate with spiny margins and an acuminate tip, up to 60cm long and 6cm across. It leaves are arranged in a rosette. Its yellow/ green flowers appear on a flower spike which may be up to 5m tall. Each plant flowers once after which it dies. It produces rhizome like offsets which helps the spread of this plant. Its root system is shallow and fibrous.

Agave difformis, commonly known as Deformed Century Plant, is native to north central Mexico. In its native habitat it grows in sandy/ rocky soils in desert condition in grasslands at an elevation of 1,600m to 1,900m.

The etymological root of the binomial name Agave is derived from Greek mythology being the daughter of Cadmus, who supposedly founded the city of Thebes. Difformis is derived from the Latin difformatas meaning ‘lack of uniformity’, in reference to its leaves.

The landscape architect may find Agave difformis useful as a dramatic specimen plant. Once established this plant is drought tolerant. This plant may be growing as a houseplant providing sufficient light and room are given, it should be noted its leaf tips have sharp spines. It would be suitable for conservatory or atrium type conditions.

Ecologically, Agave difformis flowers are attractive to nectar loving birds and pollinating insects.

Agave difformis Leaf (28/02/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Agave difformis  prefers moist, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will tolerate poor soils.

When maintaining Agave difformis as a houseplant its soil should be watered sparingly. Watering should be reduced during the winter months. Its preferred active growing temperature rages from between 14ºc to 24ºc, although it will tolerate a temperature below freezing. Feeding with weak fertiliser solution should be carried out once a month during the growing season.



Landscape Architecture

Yucca queretaroensis

Yucca queretaroensis (28/02/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun

Flowering period: Late summer

Soil: Dry, well drained

Eventual Height: 5m

Eventual Spread: 1.2m

Hardiness: 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11

Family: Asparagaceae

Sub Family: Agavoideae

Yucca queretaroensis is a slow growing evergreen shrub with an upright habit. Its grey/ blue leaves are square in cross section, lanceolate with entire margins, up to 60cm long, 3mm broad and appear as a symmetrical rosette. Its dead leaves remain on the trunk, are pendulous and produce a skirt like appearance. Its white flowers are bell shaped and appear as erect flowering stalks as panicles which are up to 80cm long and emerge from its leaves.

Yucca queretaroensis Leaf (28/02/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Yucca queretaroensis, commonly known as Queretaro Yucca, is native to Central Mexico. In it native habitat this plant grows in hills and canyons in places with low vegetation cover.

The etymological root of the binomial name Yucca is derived from the Carib (indigenous people of the Caribbean) name for cassava (misapplied to this plant). Queretaroensis is named after the Mexico state of Queretaro.

The landscape architect may find Yucca queretaroensis useful as an architectural specimen shrub suitable for xeriscaping planting schemes. Once established this plant is drought tollerant. This plant may be suitable as a house plant providing adequate light is provided.

Yucca queretaroensis Base (28/02/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Yucca queretaroensis flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

Yucca queretaroensis prefers dry, fertile,very well-drained soils. It prefers an alkali pH of soil. It will not tolerate wet soils.

Yucca queretaroensis requires little maintenance. Dead leaves may be removed from the trunk to promote a tidy appearance.



Landscape Architecture