Yucca gloriosa Variegata - Spanish Dagger

Yucca gloriosa 'Variegata', sometimes called Spanish Dagger because of its sword-shaped leaves, is an evergreen bush with slow growth, perfectly adapted to arid conditions, but remarkably tolerant and strongly imbued with exoticism. At the top of sparsely branched branches, mature plants bear rosettes of large, stiff and leathery dark green-blue leaves, with pointed and sharp ends. Its summer flowering is spectacular, in the form of a tall spike filled with numerous bell-like white and pink flowers which are highly fragrant. It requires full sun and tolerates drought and sea spray perfectly.

Native to the southeastern United States, growing along the coast and in dune areas, Yucca gloriosa is a rhizomatous plant belonging to the Agave family. When young, Yucca gloriosa forms a shaggy ball, naturally sparsely branched. After many years, it can form a very short trunk with several branches. It can reach 2 m to 3 m (6.6 ft to 9.8 ft) in all directions when flowering. The foliage measures 1 m (3.3 ft), and is arranged in a rosette of long leaves measuring 70 cm (27.6 in) long and 6 cm (2.4 in) wide. They are rigid, gutter-shaped, lanceolate, with a pointed blade shape and have a brown and fierce spine at their ends. Flowering occurs after 3 to 4 years of cultivation, indicating the death of the rosette which will be replaced by another. Very fragrant and nectar-rich, the flowers resemble bells. They are white to cream-white in colour, sometimes washed with purple, and their reverse side is spotted with deep pink. The flower buds display different shades of deep pink. They are carried in erect and branched panicles over 2 m (6.6 ft) in height.

Yucca gloriosa 'Variegata', hardy beyond -15° C (5° F) and easy to grow, will thrive in any well-drained soil, even dry and poor soil. It should be kept away from walkways and young children due to its formidable pointed leaves. This tall plant is ideal for structuring a large rock garden, or for occupying the centre of an exotic bed. It can be planted alone or combined on a dry slope with Puya caerulea, Agave americana, prickly pear, giant fennel, and fairly hardy candle cacti (Cleistocactus strausii, Cylindropuntia imbricata) and Echium pininana from the Canary Islands. If growing in a container, choose a sheltered spot in full sun, to recreate a garden reminiscent of those that flourish on the other side of the world.