Yucca whipplei (Our Lord's Candle, Spanish Bayonet)


Botanical Information

FamilyAsparagaceae
GenusYucca
Specieswhipplei
CategoryPerennials
TypeShrub (evergreen)
OriginNative to the mountains and coast of California south to Mexico. Often found growing in near arid conditions.

Details

USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-14
Temperature (°F)6.8
Height3.5 m (including the flower spike)
Spread1 m
GrowthMedium
Flowering PeriodJune, July, August

Description and Growing Information

ShapeLeaves radiating from a central crown forming a 'pin cushion' type shape.
PropagationSpring sown seeds germinated at 20-25 °C usually germinate in about 21 days. Grow on in a well drained medium under cool protection for a year, keeping them on the dry side and pot out the following year.
CultivationYucca whipplei must be grown in well drained soil in full sun.
HabitatDry, low mountains and coastline in arid conditions.
Leaf DescriptionLeaves are lanceolate and about 2 cm wide and up to 1 m in length and may be silvery-blue in colour.
Flower DescriptionThe plant is monocarpic and hence after flowering the rosette of foliage that the flower spike originated from will die, other rosettes will then come into their own. There are hundreds of individual bell shaped blooms (2.5 cm) that are ivory white to purple tinted on the 3.5 m flower spike. It may take at least five years before the plant will flower.
Fruit DescriptionSeed is seldom produced in cultivation since pollination requires the efforts of a particular species of moth.

Photographs