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Nelson's Beargrass Nolina nelsonii

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
no-LEE-na nel-SON-ee-eye
Description

Blue Nolina is a large blue-green succulent tree-like shrub in the asparagus family.  It is slow-growing and very drought and heat tolerant.  Plant it in the full fun in well-drained soil.  Once it flowers the main plant dies back and a new plant forms at the base of the rosette.  Its coarse texture adds a lot of drama to a low-water-use landscape.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant flowers#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#specimen#white flowers#silver leaves#slow growing#spring flowers#accent plant#deer resistant#blue-green leaves#coarse
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant flowers#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#specimen#white flowers#silver leaves#slow growing#spring flowers#accent plant#deer resistant#blue-green leaves#coarse
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Nolina
    Species:
    nelsonii
    Family:
    Asparagaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Mexico
    Dimensions:
    Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 11 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Succulent
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Very Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    6-feet-12 feet
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Description:
    Small white slightly fragrant flowers appear in mass in spring on a 4' tall stalk.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Silvery blue-green 1" wide by 3' long strappy with finely toothed margins
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Mass Planting
    Security
    Small groups
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Heat