Plant Min Zone: 3a
Plant Max Zone: 9b
Sunlight: All Day Full Sun
Water / Rainfall: Very Low, Low
Soil Quality: Poor, Average
Bloom Season: Early Summer
Flower Color: White, Cream
Berry / Fruit Color: None
Spring Foliage Color: Green
Summer Foliage Color: Green
Fall Foliage Color: Green
Evergreen Foliage: Yes
Winter Interest: Yes
Scented Flowers: No
Drought Tolerance: High
Wet-Feet Tolerance: Low
Humidity Tolerance: Low, Medium
Wind Tolerance: High
Poor Soil Tolerance: Sandy Soils, Rocky Soils, Alkaline Soils (high PH)
Height: 1' - 2'
Width: 1' - 2'
Growth Rate: Slow
Service Life: Very Long: 10-20 years
Maintenance Need: Almost Zero Maintenance
Spreading Potential: Extremely Low
Yearly Trimming Tips: Yuccas and Cacti Need No Trimming Except to Remove the Dead Flower Stalk.
Plant Grouping Size: Specimen Planting of 1-3, Small Grouping of 3-5
Best Side of House: South Exposure, West Exposure
Extreme Planting Locations: Survives Under Roof Overhang, Survives Severe Drought, Tolerates Extreme Heat, Resistant to Rabbits, Top of Retaining Wall Locations
Ornamental Features: Multiple Seasons of Interest, Fine Texture, Exceptional / Colorful Foliage
Special Landscape Uses: Naturalizing
Possible Pest Problems: Root Rot Disease
Plant Limitations: Has Thorns, Needs Excellent Drainage
Pale green sword-like leaves from this yucca (Yucca glauca) make an excellent architectural statement with needle-like evergreen foliage. Over time, this yucca will form colonies of evergreen rosettes in its native habitat. Yucca glauca is the most cold-hardy yucca occuring in a large area of the North American great plains and short-grass prairies. The native habitat ranges from Texas to Canada and covers central Kansas predominantly in areas receiving 10-20" of rain per year. Having desert heritage, it resents poor drainage and winter moisture but will usually tolerate normal Eastern Kansas rainfall if planted in full sun on berm or south-facing wall with no extra irrigation. Use is primarily reserved for cactus or xeriscape gardens needing the fine needle-like texture of evergreen foliage and/or where Adam's needle yucca foliage might be too wide. Avoid placing near trees as fall clean-up of leaves can be a problem. Avoid use where children or pets play; needles are sharp and unforgiving! A large 2-3' wide specimen has flourished in our display garden in Lawrence, KS for over 15 years and flowered many times. Flowers are quite attractive and full of medicinal and edible uses for those inclined to learn more. Amazing that a yucca native to areas receiving as little as 10" of rain per year can grow in a climate receiving 40" of rain!