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Yucca filamentosa

Phonetic Spelling
YUK-ah fil-ah-men-TOH-sah
Description

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:
  • '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', 'Color Guard', 'Garland Gold', 'Golden Sword'
Tags:
#evergreen#full sun tolerant#perennials#white flowers#shrub#wildlife plant#moths#salt tolerant#winter interest#cpp#summer flowers#deer resistant#nighttime garden#native garden#spring interest#wildflower garden#fantz#larval host plant#food source fall#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#moth larvae#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#Audubon#coastal plant#food source winter#landscape plant sleuths course
 
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', 'Color Guard', 'Garland Gold', 'Golden Sword'
Tags:
#evergreen#full sun tolerant#perennials#white flowers#shrub#wildlife plant#moths#salt tolerant#winter interest#cpp#summer flowers#deer resistant#nighttime garden#native garden#spring interest#wildflower garden#fantz#larval host plant#food source fall#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#moth larvae#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#Audubon#coastal plant#food source winter#landscape plant sleuths course
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    5-8 ft tall flower stalk
  • 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