Yucca carnerosana

A magnificent yucca from the desert lands of northern Mexico north to the mountains of Western Texas. It forms a stout trunk surmounted by a symmetrical crown of broad green leaves held stiffly in a ball from the central growing point. Each leaf has both a brown margin and then a white outer edge carrying curly white filaments along their length. 

Their desert origins mean that they need to be planted in full sun and on well drained soil. They can grow happily in the UK but do better with protection for the crown and the roots from our cold wet winters. A plant for chalk, south facing slopes, raised beds, coastal areas and city centres. 

Yuccas are perennial and many summers will throw up a dramatic flower spike of creamy white flowers. After the flower spike dies, the plant then produces new shoots around the base of the old flower spike each of which develops into a new head of foliage. It also grows pups around the base of the trunk, slowly forming a beautiful clump of multiheaded plants. 

There is a whole industry in its native territory using the stiff dry fibres or ‘ixtle’ from the dead leaves to make brushes and cordage.