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Beaked Blue Yucca Yucca rostrata

Phonetic Spelling
YUK-ah ro-STRAY-tah
Description

This tree-like yucca is an extremely ornamental, slow-growing evergreen, with a perfectly symmetrical pom-pom-like form.  Its form includes hundreds of 2 foot long leaves.  The leaves have sharp points and are an attractive pale blue-green color.  The rosette of leaves sits at the top of the trunk.  The trunk is covered with the remains of old leaves which are soft fibers.  

Beautiful yellow-orange stalks appear at the top of the plant in late spring.  The stalks have clusters of white flowers.

This tree-like plant has leaves that are soft, unlike other varieties of yucca, making this a less dangerous plant.

One of the hardiest trunk-forming yuccas, it tolerates cold up to zone 5.  While full sun is ideal, it tolerates part shade so long as it gets at least three hours of sun.

The common name 'Big Bend Yucca' arises from this species being found in its natural habitat of the Big Bend are of the Rio Grand River.  

Yucca moth larvae feed on the seeds, adults pollinate the flowers. 

Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems:  No serious problems.  Minor issues with red spiders, spider mites, mealybugs, scale and aphids.  Avoid planting in locations having poor drainage.  Overwatering can lead to root rot.

 

VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.   

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Sapphire Skies'
    More silvery tone to the leaves. Grows up to 5'.
'Sapphire Skies'
Tags:
#evergreen#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#shrub#succulent#moth caterpillar host#winter interest#rabbit resistant#deer resistant#nighttime garden#frost tolerant#pollinator plant#cactus#larval host plant#rocky soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#hsc#hsc-s#perennial#moth friendly#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Sapphire Skies'
    More silvery tone to the leaves. Grows up to 5'.
'Sapphire Skies'
Tags:
#evergreen#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#shrub#succulent#moth caterpillar host#winter interest#rabbit resistant#deer resistant#nighttime garden#frost tolerant#pollinator plant#cactus#larval host plant#rocky soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#hsc#hsc-s#perennial#moth friendly#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Yucca
    Species:
    rostrata
    Family:
    Asparagaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Root Cutting
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    South western Texas, northern Mexico
    Wildlife Value:
    Yucca moth larvae feed on the seeds, adults pollinate the flowers. Attracts hummingbirds.
    Play Value:
    Shade
    Wildlife Food Source
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    This plant is highly resistant to damage from deer.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
    Appendage:
    Prickles
  • 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:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Erect, ovoid to ellipsoid fruits.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    2 foot cluster of white flowers that rise high above the crown. They bloom in late spring.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Sharp-tipped leaves up to 2' long, margins finely toothed, arranged on the crown similar to a pom-pom. Old leaves dry out and often remain on the trunk.
  • Bark:
    Bark Description:
    The bark is made up of soft gray fibers of old leaves. It creates a silver haze.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Yellow-orange flowering stalks rise above the foliage. Typically single stemmed.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Patio
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Nighttime Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Moths
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Heat
    Rabbits
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses