Adam's Needle Yucca Is a Low-Maintenance Hardy Succulent
Virtues: We love Yucca filamentosa for its long, narrow sword-like blue-green foliage that grows in a rosette form with an abundance of twining white fibrous threads along the margins. In late spring, a woody flower stalk ascends from the center of the rosette to tower high above the spiky foliage and bear clusters of bell-shaped creamy white flowers in summer.
Common name: Adam’s needle; spanish bayonet; yucca
Botanical name:Yucca filamentosa
Flowers: In summer, bundles of striking, 6-petaled drooping creamy flowers bloom from a towering, sturdy flower stalk. If they’re pollinated, 2-inch-long, green-brown seed-holding capsules will follow the flowers.
Foliage: Rigid, lengthy, strap-like rich-green leaves form an alluring rosette with an array of curling fibrous strands along the margins. The eccentric spine-tipped leaves can reach 2 ½ feet in length.
Habit:Yucca filamentosa has a dense clump of foliage that extends 2 to 3 feet in height with a similar spread. The upright flower stalks will typically reach 5 to 8 feet in height but may even grow up to 12 feet.
Season: With the stunning creamy flowers, this yucca has heaps of summer interest; however, this plant will invite onlookers all year long with its evergreen foliage.
Origin: Native to East Coast and Southeastern regions of North America.
How to grow Yucca filamentosa: Adam’s needles are drought-tolerant evergreen perennials that successfully grow in most well-drained soil types. In their native habitat, they will grow in dry, sandy soils. Water regularly and thoroughly until established; then they will tolerate drought. Remove the flower stalks once the flowers have dropped. Grow in full sun. USDA Zones 4–10.
Image: Maja Dumat
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