Yucca filamentosa
(Adam's Needle, Needle Palm, Spoonleaf Yucca)
Synonyms: Yucca concava, Yucca flaccida, yucca smalliana
Origin: Native to eastern USA
Family: Agavaceae
Light: Full sun/part shade
Height: 1-3'
Spacing: 3-4'
Blooms: Fragrant, pale yellow, white, 3-4" stalk, bell-sahped, nodding, late Spring
Foliage: Blue-green, sword-shaped, smooth, basal, rosette, spiny tip, curly white threads along margins
Fruit: Elliptic, capsule
Soil: Well-drained, mildly acidic, neutral, mildly alkaline, poor, sandy, clayey, loamy, drought tolerant
Water: Low
Insects/Disease: None
Uses: Xeriscaping, rock garden, mass, borders, foliage, container, hummingbird garden, butterfly garden, bird garden, bee garden, slopes, accent, Winter interest, beverage, medicine, food, coastal planting, landscaping
Propagation: Offset, tuber divisions
Caution: Plant has sharp pointed tips
Comments: Yucca filamentosa or Adam's Needle or Needle Palm or Spoonleaf Yucca Palm or Yucca concava or Yucca flaccida or Yucca smalliana is a hardy perennial monocarpic shrub with an erect, clumping growth habit. It is a native of eastern USA. In late Spring or early Summer, Yucca filamentosa produces an attractive large panicle of creamy-white blossoms, followed later by seeds. Hummingbirds, bees and butterflies are magnetized by the nectar-rich blossoms while birds enjoy feasting on the seeds. Spoonleaf Yucca Palm has blue-green, sword-shaped, smooth basal foliage, arranged in a rosette. The tips of the leaves are spiny and interesting curly white threads appear along the margins. Needle Palm is easily propagated from seeds or offsets or tuber divisions. It thrives best in well-drained, acidic or alkaline soil in a sunny environment. Yucca concava.is low maintenace and its drought tolerance makes it an excellent xeriscaping plant for the dry area of the garden. It tolerates coastal conditions. Use Yucca flaccida on slopes to prevent soil erosion or use it as an accent plant. It provides a tropical flair to the Summer landscape. Grow Yucca filamentosa in a permanent location and provide sufficient room for its rapid spread. Plant away from foot traffic due to its pointed spiny leaf tips. Adam's Needle is a very useful plant. The roots and flowers are edible, the flowers also make a nice beverage drink when sweetened to taste. The American Indians used the roots as poultice for the treatment of sprains and skin problems. Yucca flaccida is ideal for rock garden planting. It easily attracts attention.
USDA Zones: 4-10
