Palms & Yuccas

Handsome, multi-trunked tropical palms. These are slow to moderate growing, multi-trunked palms used for landscape specimens or filler. They are clean plants with a refined appearance, especially when trunks are exposed. In optimal conditions, you can expect a growth rate of about 1ft. per year. The bold accent palms work well around pools, water features, patios, large, raised planters, or planted en masse for background screens or privacy. Immature plants produce dark green palmate leaves all the way to the ground with straight, sharp spines along leaf petioles. They accept high heat, and they are one of the most cold hardy palms for southwestern gardens tolerating temperatures down to single digits. As most palms do, these prefer moderate to ample water in well-drained soils.

Ancient bold evergreen accent plants. These are colloquially referred to as palms, but these plants are primitive Cycads that are native to a few isolated southern Japanese islands in the East China Sea. While they are relatively heat tolerant, hot, low desert afternoon sun should be avoided. It is also good to note that they grow naturally in wetter, tropical environments, which gives landscape designers a clue to provide them with loose, organically amended soils with good drainage and ample amounts of water during the growing season, with little to no supplemental water during the winter months when their growth virtually stops. The long dark green feather-shaped leaves are formed in whorled pattern around a center mound to eventually form a thick solid supporting trunk, however with a growth rate measured by inches per year, their development is painfully slow.

Small, multi-trunked feather palm. These small, moderate to fast growing evergreen date palms are a delight around pools, patios, courtyards, and entryways where a tropical, easy-to-maintain accent tree is needed. They prefer well-drained soils with regular, consistent soil moisture. In spring fertilizer with a complete food that includes magnesium to help keep foliage looking green and healthy. Water, fertilize then water again to ensure slow-release fertilizers are breaking down properly. Or blend fertilizer with aged steer manure and applied as a top-dressing, then water that in. Removing older, lower yellow to dried leaves is the main maintenance requirement for these palms. They are happiest planted in part to full shade either in-ground or in large containers in low deserts. They do not mind being somewhat root-bound, but eventually they will need to be up-potted for continued top growth.

Bold, gray-green sword-leafed accent. So named for the large clusters of big succulents, fleshy oval fruits that looked like bananas to early explorers, these plants are amazingly adaptable and can be found in woodland to open grassy habitats from about 1500 ft. to over 7000 ft. in most western and southwestern states. Before their fruits appear, thick flower stalks will form to hold big, cascading lush white and burgundy bell-shaped blooms that are visited by many pollinators but are only pollinated specifically by yucca moths. Their leaves are typically 2-3 ft. long at maturity forming around a basal clump, but rarely short trunked on older specimens. They typically form sizable persistent colonies in the wild. They are often associated with ancient indigenous sites across the southwest, where all parts of the plants were utilized by native peoples. Their leaves are usually gray green with thick curling strings tearing from the leaf margins. It is common for immature plants have shorter recurved leaves. Low to no maintenance with only removal or old dry leaves or cutting off old woody flower stalks being needed. Good drainage is necessary. They will accept and grow faster with more water as long as the soil is well-drained.

Dynamic tree-form yuccas with large heads. These yuccas are moderate to slow growers, starting out as most do, as a rounded mass of narrow, green leaves with a tiny, pointed tip. Leaf margins have peeling white thread-like filaments throughout the entire head. These are arborescent yuccas that eventually form tall, leaf thatched trunks. Unfortunately, with recent nursery encouragement, some folks have begun lifting or removing this natural and protective skirt of leaves from many trunked Yucca sp. However, this practice is as inadvisable as shearing desert shrubs is. Yucca elata will accept moderate amounts of water, once established if the soil is well-drained. As with other yuccas, their speed of growth can be manipulated a bit by providing deep regular watering during the summer, but their roots are quite susceptible to rotting if the soil stays too wet, especially during winter. As with other Yuccas, they require little to no maintenance other than removing old woody flower stalks. They can grow tall, so be aware of any height restrictions in the landscape such as eves, or low-branched trees. Give them plenty of root initially, as they will not survive root disturbance or transplanting. Moving them is not an option once they are established.

Giant, evergreen durable yucca. These giant-sized, arborescent yuccas offer long-term striking silhouettes for southwestern landscapes. Just as you would with a Saguaro, give them root to grow and space them accordingly. They can be dynamic, and bold accents when grouped together, or pair them with other softer desert adaptable shrubs such as Dalea, Creosote, Desert Bird of Paradise. They produce long, dark green sword-like leaves to nearly 3 ft. and 2-3 inches wide at their base with a strong wicked terminal spine from wide woody trunks. They are typically single headed, from which comes a 3-4 ft. tall flower stalk in late spring that holds clusters of white, bell shaped blooms. They prefer good drainage and regular deep watering, especially in spring to summer with little to no supplemental water needed during fall and winter. Easy and adaptable Yuccas.

Spiked, dramatic foliage on multiple trunks. This is a moderate to fast growing arborescent yucca that performs best with protection from hottest western exposures in low deserts. Leaves are flat, bright green sword shaped with no sharp terminal spine, which makes them ideal for pool and patio areas. Native to southeastern U.S., they do not mind the heat, and they will accept more water, with less sun, if the soil is well-drained. These lush, tropical looking plants do well in large pots or as specimens in entryways or blended with other tropical foliage shrubs, perennials, or palms. In too much late afternoon sun, the leaves can yellow and become scorched. Acclimating them to full sun is possible, but takes some time.

These are moderate to fast growing arborescent yuccas that eventually form multiple heads, although as single head specimens they offer plenty of bold drama. The leaves are soft, narrow, silver blue that form a symmetrical round head of leaves about 4 ft. across. The narrow 1/2 in. wide, 2-3 ft. long blue leaves gently flutter with even a slight breeze. The leaves are armed with a slight terminal spine but due to their pliability they are not overly dangerous. These yuccas are accommodating to different soil types and moisture levels, but generally good drainage is recommended. They flower like other yuccas with woody stalks that stand 3-4 ft. above the foliage in spring to summer. Stalks are branched candelabra form from which hang big, white bell-shaped flowers that bees and other pollinators adore. Use them in mass plantings, as single specimens, around pools, patios, any landscape that requires or desires the nobility of a true queen.