Other Names:  Shaggy Yucca, Old Shag, Spanish Bayonet

Description:

A showy, branching succulent with spear-like leaves radiating from the center and spikes of nodding white flowers in spring; eventually forms a tall shaggy trunk; good for dry sites, best used in a southwestern landscape theme, surprisingly hardy

Ornamental Features

Torrey Yucca features bold spikes of creamy white bell-shaped flowers rising above the foliage from late spring to early summer. It has attractive bluish-green foliage with hints of grayish green. The sword-like leaves are highly ornamental and remain bluish-green throughout the winter. The gray branches add an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape Attributes

Torrey Yucca is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other landscape plants with finer foliage.

This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Spiny

Torrey Yucca is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Vertical Accent
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Torrey Yucca will grow to be about 18 feet tall at maturity extending to 20 feet tall with the flowers, with a spread of 7 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.

This shrub should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for xeriscaping or the moisture-conserving landscape. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is native to parts of North America.

Torrey Yucca makes a fine choice for the outdoor landscape, but it is also well-suited for use in outdoor pots and containers. Its large size and upright habit of growth lend it for use as a solitary accent, or in a composition surrounded by smaller plants around the base and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when grown in a container, it may not perform exactly as indicated on the tag - this is to be expected. Also note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.