Beschorneria yuccoides

Beschorneria yuccoides is, despite its desert plant appearance, a magnificent and authentic perennial plant for edges and clear undergrowth, perfectly adaptable to our temperate climates that are not too cold. It forms a large rosette of narrow evergreen leaves, green-blue in colour, with a beautiful fountain-like habit. From the heart of the rosette emerges a spectacular summer inflorescence, pink-red in colour, which seems to bend on one side under the weight of tubular flowers of a striking bright green with red bracts, loaded with nectar. This tender plant is sensitive to winter humidity. It requires perfectly well-drained soil and will thrive equally well in the sun on the terrace, in a rock garden, or in a clear and dry undergrowth, among the roots of old trees.

Originally from Mexico, the extremely decorative Beschorneria yuccoides is a botanical species of the Agave family, related to Yuccas to which it resembles, or to the Tuberose. In nature, it is often found growing in sparse oak woods. This fleshy herbaceous perennial plant has rhizomes capable of producing suckers, but it is almost devoid of aerial stems. It forms a basal rosette, 60 to 80cm (24 to 32in) tall and 60cm (2ft) wide. The pointed leaves are evergreen, lanceolate, not prickly. They are smooth, flexible, green-blue in colour at maturity, and show tips turned outward. The spectacular flowering takes place from May-June to August depending on the year. The fleshy flower stem, red-pink in colour, can reach a height of 1.50m (5ft) to 2m (7ft). Invariably arched towards the ground and directed towards the south, it bears many unusual and beautiful trailing tubular flowers; the corolla of a very bright green is surrounded by highly decorative red-pink bracts. This highly honey and nectar-producing flowering attracts many pollinating insects. The plant is hardy down to -8/-10°C in perfectly well-drained soil.

In mild climates, this Beschornéria is ideal for structuring a large rock garden, an exotic bed, or for brilliantly occupying the edge of an undergrowth, among the roots of old trees. It can be planted on its own or paired on a dry slope with Agave americana, prickly pear, giant fennel, and fairly hardy cactus-candles (Cleistocactus strausii, Cylindropuntia imbricata) and frugal viperines from the Canary Islands. On the edge of the undergrowth, it will accompany Phlomis samia, Acanthus mollis, Dicliptera suberecta, and Digitalis lanata. Gardeners in colder regions will place it in a very large pot on the terrace, right next to a banana tree, carefully choosing the most sheltered spot, and in full sun, to recreate a decor inspired by enclosed gardens and patios that flourish on the other side of the world. This plant is hardy down to approximately -10°C in perfectly well-drained soil and can become invasive where it thrives.