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Click the Play arrow to hear Paul Parent and David Wilson as they discussed
Yucca ‘Color Guard’ on the
The Paul Parent Garden Club radio show (April 1, 2007).
[7:24 minutes]
This outstanding variegated Adam's Needle is one of the most spectacular, imposing, and useful evergreens to have in your garden. It's a plant that packs a lot of wallop!
Click on the picture, or text link below the picture, for larger view
Here is a variety that offers:
The impressive foliage display comes from the distinctive, sword-like leaves. Each one has a broad, crisp, central golden-yellow band that stretches the entire length from tip to base. They radiate outwards and upwards from a central crown to provide an extraordinarily attractive display. This fabulous selection is easily the best form we have ever grown.
It literally provides color all year-round. From early spring to heavy snow fall, the foliage beams out color. When other forms pale and fade to greenish yellow during the midst of the growing season, Yucca ‘Color Guard’ holds its remarkable color.
In late autumn and winter, when the temperatures dip, the yellow coloration often takes on pink and coral tinges, which add to the overall appeal and attraction.
During the summer, established clumps will throw tall, sturdy flower spikes that rise 4’ to 6’ high to stand proud above the leafy clumps. Each one carries dozens of large, ivory colored, bell-like flowers that are mildly fragrant and look magnificent.
Hardiness Zone
USDA 4
Hardiness Zone
Foliage height is around 2’ to 3’.
This is a sun lover! But it should also be mentioned that it will also tolerate some light shade, if necessary. Let me explain. Three or four years ago, when I was scratching my head wondering what I should use in a shaded border with a dry, gravelly soil and lots of tree roots, I decided to try Yucca ‘Color Guard’. I knew it would cope well with the parched summer conditions, but how would it do in the shade? To my delight, it has done surprisingly well. While I don't get the height and leafy mass that it attains when growing in sunny and lush surroundings, Yucca ‘Color Guard’ still looks impressive and succeeds where many other plants would definitely fail.
The original species, Yucca filamentosa, is native to southeastern North America - from North Carolina to Florida, and west to Tennessee and Mississippi.
As gardeners, we are indebted to the well known hosta breeder, enthusiast, and author, Paul Aden. Mr. Hosta (as he is fondly nicknamed) discovered this fine selection in Japan and introduced it into western commerce. It is interesting (but I suppose not surprising) that someone who has introduced over 160 Hosta varieties, including such favorites as ‘Blue Cadet’, ‘So Sweet’, ‘Brim Cup’, ‘Blue Angel’, ‘Wide Brim’ and ‘Sum & Substance’, had the wherewithal to find and recognize a plant of another genus with so much merit.
Yucca ‘Color Guard’ is easy to grow and care for as it thrives in almost any soil, providing it is free draining.
It grows in dry, sandy, or rocky habitats in fields, road shoulders, and open woods. The common name, Adam's Needle, is derived from the long, curly threads or filaments that appear on the margins of the leaves. It is sometimes called Adam's Needle-and-Thread which refers to the pointy tip at the end of each leaf and the threads that decorate these edges. Over the years, this became shortened to just Adam's Needle.
Yucca ‘Color Guard’ is especially well suited to sites with light, sandy, or gravelly soils; avoid heavy clay or wet humus rich soils and you will find it an easy, reliable performer. As with all variegated plants, it may occasionally have a few parts that revert to green; if this happens, remove the all green parts (including the roots).
After flowering, remove the faded flower stems to prevent unwanted seed formation. Don't be alarmed if the base of the flower stem dies out. This is perfectly natural. The clump produces lateral buds around the edges of the original; these grow out and add to the overall density of the slowly spreading clump.
Yucca ‘Color Guard’ provides a strong architectural and exotic presence to beds, mixed borders, rock gardens, and planters.
It makes a terrific specimen plant and focal point, lifting the eye and providing interesting form, texture, and a rich sculptural quality to massed plantings or drifts of low spreading ground cover.
It positively thrives in seaside gardens and urban areas where the soil is sandy or rocky. It is also a valuable addition to roof and balcony gardens.
It is marvelous for bringing a tropical feel to garden entertainment and living areas like patios, swimming pool surrounds, and sun bathing spots.
Because this long lasting sun lover is drought and heat tolerant, it makes a great, dependable container plant. And since it requires very little maintenance (once established), it is perfect for planting around holiday homes, dry landscapes, and places where low maintenance is a priority.
Yucca ‘Color Guard’ will stand honored and proud in your garden with its commanding presence giving a parade of year round color. This is a proven performer that is easy to grow and is extremely easy to maintain.
Stop in and visit us soon. Although we may not be able to provide a ceremonial escort, marching bands, and the pomp and ceremony, we will be glad to help you find a suitable place in your yard for this stately and prestigious beauty!
Until next time, remember.... Enjoy your gardening. It's good for you!
