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Yuccas have a look that demands respect
Mississippi Gardens Newspaper and Web Column - August 4, 2003

There are thousands of versatile and beautiful plants to choose from when designing Southern landscapes. A wide variety of trees, shrubs and vines are available that offer beautiful foliage, seasonal color, gorgeous blooms and attractive bark. All of them are noteworthy or unique in some special way, but there is one group of Native American plants, the Yuccas, that have a look that demands both admiration and respect. They are admired because of their statuesque appearance, unique foliage and beautiful flowers. Respected, oh yes, for their blade-like leaves for which some have earned names like Spanish bayonet and Adam's Needle.

Yuccas are quite often used as focal points in landscapes that are set apart from people traffic. Although the glossy green to gray green foliage is very attractive and unique, its typically sharp, pointed tips urge all to keep their distance. This characteristic may diminish their use somewhat, but Yuccas will always be favorites for rock gardens, dry landscapes, and decorative containers or as barrier and screen plants. Like palms, they carry with them that exotic feel and flare of the tropical garden.

Three popular Yuccas originated in the southeastern United States, Mexico and the West Indies. These include Spanish bayonet (Yucca aloifolia), Adam's Needle (Yucca filamentosa) and Spanish dagger (Yucca gloriosa). All three are hardy to climate zone 7, which means they may be successfully grown in all of Mississippi. All are well adapted to dry, harsh sites and full sun but they perform exceptionally well in most any sunny site as long as the soil is well drained.

The most widely planted of these three is the Spanish dagger, Y. gloriosa. There are no particular pest problems and it practically grows without any assistance. The tips of Spanish dagger are not as stiff and threatening as those of its cousin, the Spanish bayonet. To tell these two apart examine the leaves. The leaves of Spanish dagger are pliable and leathery, with an entire (smooth) leaf margin. The Spanish bayonet has leaves that are rigid with leaf margins that are sharply serrated.

Although the Spanish bayonet will grow taller, to heights of 10 feet, both of these develop a "grass skirt" appearance as the old leaves give way to the new. In contrast, Adam's Needle is a low, mounding form. All yield gorgeous summer flowers.

While Yuccas may not be suitable for every setting they are superb in others. Their unique characteristics bring diversity and beauty to Mississippi gardens. Happy gardening!

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These archived columns were written by Kerry Johnson, a hobby gardener, former weekly newspaper columnist and an Area Extension Horticulture Agent for 11 coastal counties in Mississippi.