Yucca pallida

Yucca pallida

This Yucca is from the Blackland Prairies of north central Texas. I am not sure how long I have had the plant as it has not changed size for years but suddenly it has decided to flower. It is one of the stemless non spiky Yuccas with lovely pale blue leaves and delightful pendant mint green flowers with white margins. I am hoping for seed when it has finished flowering . Seeds are apparently small matt black with a rough surface and measure a mere 4-6 x 2-3 mm.

Yucca species,Spanish Bayonet,Adam's Needle

Yucca aloifolia in flower
Yucca aloifolia 'Marginata'

Yucca gloriosa 'Variegata'

Yucca desmetiana

Yucca elephantipes 'Green and Gold'

Yucca filamentosa 'Color Guard'

Yuccas are familiar and popular garden plants both here and in America and Europe. Trying to sort out the different species and cultivars can be a bit confusing. The most helpful reference text is Yuccas: Giants among the Lilies by Colin Smith who holds the Yucca National Plant Collection in the UK. This is published by the National Council for the Conservation of Plants & Gardens www.nccpg.com which has as its patron HRH The Prince of Wales.

Many Yuccas are very cold hardy and will tolerate freezing conditions but the main requirement is that the soil is well drained around the roots .They make dramatic accent plants in landscape designs and contrast well with fine leafed grasses and soft perennials . They were used in this way by the famous garden designer and writer Gertrude Jekyll.

2017 update: I still have a limited number of varieties available though their popularity is less now than in previous years.