YUCCA. North and Central America. I have always been fond of this group, perhaps because I associate it with the California deserts. In any case, it has seemed odd to me that their use has been so dominated by the largest and most awkward species, like Y. gloriosa, while some of the smaller, tidier members, much more appropriate for small home landscapes, are neglected. The following all fit in the second category. They have crowns of roughly sword shaped leaves, each crown clumping from the base to form small colonies. Eventually each crown sends up a large, branched stalk bearing dozens or hundreds of showy bell shaped, usually white or cream colored blossoms. That particular crown then dies, to be covered over by its own offsets. The species described here delight in full exposure, any reasonably well drained soil, and moderate to only occasional watering. Hardy to 0^oF or less, unless otherwise noted.

‘Bright Edge’. A beautiful selection, received from Duncan & Davies Nurseries. It forms tight clusters of basal rosettes, the individual leaves about 1' long. Though stiff in appearance, they have soft, non-threatening terminal points. Each displays a dark green central band, broadly margined with bright yellow. The flowers are about 2" long and cream colored with some purple tinge.

filamentosa ‘Variegata’. Very similar in appearance and dimensions to the last, the leaves just a bit longer, relatively broader and margined with creamy white. Dry filaments curl out and back at intervals along the margins.

flaccida. As the species name implies, this is one of the softest of the yuccas, quite unlike some of the fearsomely sharp and stiff leaved Californians. The crowns produce offsets freely to form dense colonies. Each has several drooping, bluish green leaves, up to 2' long, It is one of the showiest of the yuccas in bloom, bearing broad torches of fragrant ivory-colored blossoms, 2-3" long on stalks 4-10' high. ‘Ivory Tower’ is a somewhat dwarf selection, with leaves about 1' long, 3-4' stalks and quite large flowers. ‘Garland Gold’ is one of the brightest of the variegated yuccas. The leaves have broad, golden yellow centers and deep green margins. Both were received from Duncan & Davies Nurseries.

glauca. One of the hardiest of the yuccas, making its home in the central plains of the U.S. It has stiff crowns of narrow leaves, grey green with pale margins. Candle-like flower stalks 3-6' high carry many nodding 2-3" blossoms, white with green shading.

whipplei. It is with some trepidation that we offer this spectacular native. It is a dangerous neighbor, particularly for small children, and best placed on banks and walls out of the line of traffic. It makes crowns of stout, viciously pointed, pale green to silvery grey leaves up to 2' long. From the crown, after several years, issues a stalk resembling a giant asparagus spear, rising as much as 10'. This develops into a many-branched panicle of large white bells. The effect is stunning. If offsets have been produced by flowering time, they take over the task of perpetuating the plant as the old crown dies. Otherwise, it is time to plant a new one.