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Yucca    semiwoody succulents ranging in habit from dwarfs under 2' to medium size, branching trees. Flowers can be edible, but edibility and palatability varies by species. They are mostly picked very young and fried up, often with eggs or vegetables. They have a pleasant flavor and crunchy texture, but can be bitter and alkaloidal/soapy. Agavaceae. rev 11/2007 

elata    SOAPTREE YUCCA    container plant    this species has a crown about 3' across composed of very narrow, leathery but flexible leaves, each with a spiny tip, almost grassy in habit (especially when young). It will eventually form a trunk, to 20' in its most favored habitats (desert or Great Basin-like situations) and with great age. It retains its old leaves as downward pointing thatch. The leaves are distinguished by attractive, tangled white filaments which erode from the leaf margins. Bright ivory white flowers emerge from each crown in a very narrow spike to about 6' above the foliage in late spring . It is found in many desert communities of the Southwest and had a wide range of Native American uses. It is quite adaptable and has done well for us along the coast even during the very cold, wet year of 2005. Sunset zones 7-24, USDA zone 7.  rev 12/2006

elephantipes ("gloriosa")    SPANISH DAGGER,  PALM LILY    flower spike    a large, infrequently branched, clumping evergreen species commonly encountered in landscapes statewide. Easily distinguished by wide, flexible medium green to bright green leaves to 2" wide, about 2' long, that lack a hard, sharp point. It can become treelike with great age and form very large clumps, many feet across the cojoined, elephantine bases. Ivory white flowers (fragrant!) appear in late summer or early fall, heaviest in warm summer/warm winter climates such as Southern California. It can be extremely showy but usually not all the terminals in a clump flower at the same time in cooler climates. It is valuable for form and foliage and makes a very effective focal point or accent plant. It also does superbly in containers, especially because it provides a yucca form without the spines. Likes sun, at least average drainage, and at least occasional summer watering, at least in the hottes climates. This species was incorrectly sold as Y. gloriosa in the past, and mostly remains known in the trade as such, but the true Y. gloriosa is much closer to Y. recurvifolia and is rarely seen. There is also a similar but much more tropical looking plant that is occasionally encountered. It is roughly twice as large in all features, with darker, glossier foliage. Its leaves also tend to relax and fall about halfway out, giving it a much more luxuriant look. which is occasionally encountered, including a very nice variegated variant, but it is apparently a hybrid of this species with a larger tropical species. I have tried the flowers of Y. elephantipes fried in butter, they are good but retain a soapy, bitter alkaloidal flavor no matter how long they are cooked. Sunset zones 7-9, 12-24/USDA zone 9. Southeastern US. rev 11/2007

'Ivory Edge'    full shade, commercial application   a wonderful and very striking plant I have been looking for for a long time. And here it is! It grows well in sun or shade, tolerates almost no watering or quite a bit, does well in the ground or in a container, is neat, and shiny. It withstood the 1990 freeze outside (19F), unprotected, with minimal damage to the tips of the leaves. This plant should be widely used, but it has been completely unavailable in the trade and was never common in the first place. There are at least two forms of Y. elephantipes with edge variegation, one stiffer of leaf, more robust in habit and more clustering in nature, also less shiny. The other is this form we currently offer, more solitary, with high luster, and a more relaxed habit with leaves that tend to fold downward about halfway out. This form has a more tropical appearance. Find a way to display it against a wall, against other plants, or as a focal point on its own. rev 3/2008 
'Silver Star'    young  plant    even more striking, with leaves shaded silvery green in the center of the leaf, and at maturity often becoming banded ivory white. At its best this plant somewhat resembles Furcraea foetida 'Mediopicta' in overall effect except it is less massive and of course forms clumps of stems. Very rare! rev 3/2008 

filamentosa 'Bright Edge'    typical clump    blooming at City Hall    flower closeup    well displayed    this variegated succulent provides a striking, radiant burst of foliage color for the dry or Mediterranean garden. It makes an extremely effective single-subject container plant as well. Narrow leaves reach about 2' long by only an inch wide and are edged with creamy yellow. In winter that creamy yellow becomes a wonderful deep coral. Leaf margins are also highlighted by fine filaments that curl back. In late spring or early summer a 4-6' tall flower spike will emerge from mature plants bearing creamy flowers to 2" across, tinged a subtle rosy pink as they age. Likes at least half a day of full sun, good drainage, and at least some summer watering. Sunset zones 1-24, USDA probably zone 5 or lower. Eastern US. Agavaceae. rev 6/2004

'Colorguard'    blooming plant    foliage closeup    backlit    winter    the reverse of 'Bright Edge,' with green leaf margins and rich gold centers, resulting in brighter, showier foliage. Same flowers and habit but a slower grower. Also shows coral tints with cool weather. rev 10/2005
'Gold Sword'    young plants    this is another variegated form with golden centered leaves. It tends to be a little lighter in color in summer than 'Colorguard.' rev 11/2007 

gloriosa 'Variegata'  PALM LILY, SPANISH DAGGER  young nursery plants   fall/winter color  a species confused in the past with Y. elephantipes. This true form of the species is much closer in form and requirements to Y. flaccida or Y. recurvifolia, two other Eastern US species. It forms a trunk very slowly under California conditions, and should be considered mostly as a low rosette in shape until quite old. This is one of its most interesting forms, featuring rough, dark blue green leaves with a powdery white coating, broadly margined with creamy white, which turns intense coral pink for about four months starting in October or November. The leaves have a modest, sharp spine, but the flat leaves fold under pressure from the tip. They are soft enough to move in breezes for a fountain effect. So you get prickled, but usually not pierced. Flowers are to 4" across, white tinged with a little green, on a spectacular spike to 2' above the plant. Choice, and rare! Very frost hardy, Sunset zones 5-9, 14-24/USDA 7. Needs moderate to infrequent summer watering. North Carolina to Florida. rev 2/2010

pallida    rosette    possibly my very favorite species. Wide, powdery blue leaves, a black, sharp, terminal spine, but on a leaf flexible enough that it gives before it tatoos you, and a compact, elegant habit. It looks great in the ground against dark, dramatic rocks, against other foliage or striking plant forms, and in almost any container. Limited availability, mostly in Deco Square containers. 10/2007 

rigida    BLUE YUCCA    at the Huntington    a large, robust, species with stiff, blue white, needle-like leaves. My problem with this plant is that I can't stop taking pictures of it. It does what Y. rostrata does only bigger, bluer/whiter, showier, and more dangerous. There are specatular specimens at the Huntington. This is a large, dome-shaped species, eventually tree-like and branching, with its trunk clothed in old, dry, downward pointing leaves. It is similar to Yucca whipplei except it is larger, and even bluer, and doesn't die after flowering. It is at its best in hot, dry climates in very well drained soils but has grown well for us along the coast and is worth trying well outside of desert environments. The rather small creamy white flowers are produced in dense, erect, branched clusters above the rosette in summer when plants are mature enough and happy. Probably hardy to 10F, USDA zone 7/Sunset zones 5-24. Mexico. rev 10/2006  

rostrata    City Hall    at the Huntington    at Quail Botanic Gardens     a compact, small scale, blue grey yucca with a hard spine terminating a very narrow, flexible leaf. It shows noticeable variation from seed. Leaf margins are golden yellow, and when backlit the foliage is a wonderful combination of blue and gold. Leaves have minute sawtooth edges that demand care when you are working around it. A central spike to 2' above the foliage bearing a heavy show of creamy white flowers is seen on mature plants in warm locations. With age (great age in cool climates) a trunk to 6-12' tall will eventually form. The very regular habit, outstanding color, and relatively unarmed leaves make a good one to use in landscapes. Drainage must be good, however, and plants should be sited where winter sun will warm and help dry soil. In addition, along the coast or in other wet climates soils must be highly mineral or the roots will rot off in winters. Such plants can usually be plopped right back onto the ground and they will root out again in spring, but eventually cold, wet soils will mean the end of the plant. Gophers also love to devour the roots from underneath, so be vigilant. In general the above advice can be adapted for a wide range of cactus and succulents. This species also makes an excellent container plant for a hot site, with its strong architectural component and even, regular leaf pattern. Frost hardy for all of California except the far north, northeast corner and mountain regions. US Southwest, Mexico. rev 10/2005

whipplei   Ventana wilderness trail   how do I love thee? Let me count the ways. Just thinking about this plant immediately sweeps me away to the rugged slopes of the Santa Lucia Mountians east and south of Monterey, where they are found dramatically sited against striking rock formations and picturesque chapparal native plants. These impressive blue white domes of spear-like, needle foliage send up their 8-15' tall stalks of ivory white flowers in late summer after 10-15 years of growth. Enjoy them for their amazingly perfect form, their color, their impressive black spines, and their amazing flower show. Then enjoy the space it will leave to be filled with something else you haven't grown yet, because it is monocarpic and will die after flowering. In cultivation expect them to be much bigger, flower (and die) more quickly, and be overall more bodacious. I remember one giant in particular that flowered a few years back in the northern Ocean St. neighborhood of Santa Cruz. It was at least 7' across by 3' tall and sent its huge reproductive spike up over 12'. It was so big I thought it was a different species but I eventually realized it was just a whipplei grown in rich soils with summer watering. Such treatment can be dangerous, and is sometimes fatal. For best results give it dry, mineral soils with excellent drainage in full sun and water sparingly if at all almost anywhere in California. Site it well away from paths or anywhere you might have to pull weeds. It is a dangerous customer. rev 3/2008 

Yushania anceps 'Pitt's White'   at Blue Bamboo Nursery   this cool growing bamboo has a slow running habit. It is technically a clumper but grows rather openly and tends to throw subsidiary clumps as it matures. This named variety is supposedly more vigorous than the species type and is supposed to get to 20-30' with age in favored locations, but the form we have only seems to reach 6-7' under very favorable conditions (rich soil, perfect light, constant access to water). It is grown for its arching, graceful habit and willowy leaves. Likes full sun to about half shade, rich soil, and at least average drainage. It will probably not be happy in the more desert-like climates of Southern California but should be hardy enough to grow in Seattle. It makes a great container plant. India. Graminae/Poaceae. rev 11/2009