Description
A perennial from the southern states of North America. Right at ground level it forms a rosette of leaves 30–60 cm long and 3–10 cm wide. The leaves are stiff, sword-shaped, sharply pointed, dark green with a bluish waxy bloom, and have white, thread-like edges.
The yucca flowers only after several or even a dozen or more years. Its individual white-greenish or violet bell-shaped flowers, about 7 cm long, are gathered in an imposing spike at the end of a thick flower stem 120–250 cm tall rising above the leaves.
Yuccas flower from the end of June to the beginning of August. In gardens they are planted singly, very often on lawns, or in groups in large borders. They can also be planted singly in large containers.
Requirements
It needs fertile, free-draining, slightly alkaline soil. A sheltered position in full sun is desirable; plants in shade do not flower.
Propagation
Yuccas are propagated by dividing large plants, in early spring or in the second half of summer.
Care
In summer water generously, mist the leaves and feed every week with liquid mineral fertilisers. In winter, plants in containers are best kept in bright, cool rooms. Yuccas growing in the ground should be protected from frost in the winter months, for example with spruce branches.