Yucca filamentosa
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- YUK-ah fil-ah-men-TOH-sah
- Description
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Adams Needle is native to the southeastern United States, but it has spread much further as it grows in zones 4 through 10. It is native to all areas of North Carolina. Its habitats include woodlands, forests, dunes, roadsides, and disturbed areas.
The sword-shaped leaves are evergreen with thread-like filaments curling along the edges and sharp pointed tips. The tall panicle of white bell-shaped flowers is very lovely in late spring to early summer. It is resistant to deer, rabbits, poor soil, salt spray, drought, and heat.
Adam's Needle prefers coarse sandy soil that is well-drained but tolerates other soil types. It prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade. There are several cultivars available with variegated leaves and the straight species may be hard to find.
Use this plant as a hedge/ barrier, accent, in coastal gardens, and in areas where drought tolerance is desirable.
Seasons of Interest:
Bloom: Spring and Summer Foliage: Spring, Summer, and Fall Fruit: Summer and Fall
Quick ID
- Stiff, sharply pointed sword-shaped leaves in basal rosettes
- Curly, thread-like filaments along leaf margins
- Giant conical panicles of nodding, cream-colored flowers
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: In areas of poor drainage, the leaves may be sensitive to leaf spots or blight.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Walkway at the Park, Cabarrus County Courtyard Entrance Garden Lake Wall Garden Pond and Stream Pinehurst Greenway Pollinator Habitat Garden, Moore County Water Garden Juniper Level Botanic Gardens: Greenhouse Beds Native/ Woodland Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Bright Edge'
Gold stripes on the edges of leaves - 'Color Guard'
Gold stripe down the center of the leaves - 'Garland Gold'
- 'Golden Sword'
- 'Bright Edge'
- 'Bright Edge', 'Color Guard', 'Garland Gold', 'Golden Sword'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Bright Edge'
Gold stripes on the edges of leaves - 'Color Guard'
Gold stripe down the center of the leaves - 'Garland Gold'
- 'Golden Sword'
- 'Bright Edge'
- 'Bright Edge', 'Color Guard', 'Garland Gold', 'Golden Sword'
- Tags:
-
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Yucca
- Species:
- filamentosa
- Family:
- Asparagaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The Native Americans used it for a variety of purposes including food, medicine, cordage and soap.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Long Island and PA, s. to FL and LA
- Distribution:
- AL , AR , CT , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , MI , MO , MS , NC , NE , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , WI , WV
- Wildlife Value:
- Mutualistic relationship with the small white yucca moth. Hummingbirds visit the flowers. Larval host for Yucca Giant-Skipper and Cofaqui Giant-Skipper.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Particularly resistant to damage by deer. Heat, drought, and soil compaction tolerant.
- Edibility:
- The edible flowers taste somewhat like bitter artichoke and can be used fresh in salads, cooked in soups or stews, or roasted.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Oblong green fruits mature to brown are 2 by 3/4 inch with many black seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Waxy creamy white bell-shaped flowers on 5-6 ft. tall panicles. Blooms from April to June.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Variegated
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Stemless leaves are in a basal rosette, simple, sword-shaped, rigid, apex sharply cusped, margins usually inrolled and contain curly thread-like filaments. Up to 18 inches long and 2 inches wide. Many cultivars have bold, variegated leaves and softer tips.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- 5-8 ft tall flower stalk
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Edible Garden
- Native Garden
- Nighttime Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Barrier
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Hummingbirds
- Moths
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Erosion
- Heat
- Rabbits
- Salt
- Squirrels
- Urban Conditions
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
