Yucca
The 40 or so species of unusual evergreen perennials, shrubs and trees in this genus are found in drier regions of North America. The yucca, is also found in the East; Adam's-needle yucca grows on the coastal plain as far north as New Jersey. The stalk usually grows 3 to 4 feet tall, occasionally reaching 5 to 6 feet; in midsummer it bears a 2- to 4-foot-long flower head of creamy white bell-shaped blossoms. It has slender, tough, 1- to 2-foot-long, sharp pointed evergreen leaves with curly white threads growing out from the edges.
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Yucca filamentosa (Adam's needles)
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Insider's secret Adam's-needle yucca is suited to most parts of the country. It does best in light, sandy, dry soil with a pH of 5.5 to 7.0, but will survive in almost any site. It flourishes in full or partial sun, but will grow in open shade. Additional plants can be propagated by division of the roots in spring or fall, and, rarely, from seeds. To propagate from seeds, sow them in spring or fall, barely covering the seeds with 1/4 inch of soil. Adam's-needle yucca is well suited to beach-house gardens. It can also be used as a dramatic landscaping plant for a formal terrace or lawn. Depending on the species, they are frost hardy to frost tender. |
