Yucca linearis Cascade

The Yucca linearis 'Cascade' is a French horticultural selection of the botanical species, even more interesting from a graphic point of view. Its extremely fine evergreen foliage gives it a distinctive, very ornamental weeping silhouette in all seasons. The imposing rosette formed by hundreds of very narrow leaves stretched into filaments is truly spectacular. Over the years, a short trunk forms to lift it from the ground, making it even more attractive. Drought-resistant, the plant also tolerates cold well, allowing it to be planted in most regions. Its relatively slow growth also allows it to be grown in a large pot to add an exotic touch to a balcony or terrace.

The Agavaceae family, which once housed the Yucca genus, has migrated along with six other closely related families into the Asparagaceae family. The Asparagus family (Asparagus in Latin) therefore now includes many ornamental genera recognisable by their rosette of more or less large leaves, such as Agave, or Beaucarnea. There are more than 40 wild species of Yucca, mainly native to the arid zones of North America. They are sun-loving plants that appreciate sandy, well-draining soils and heat, even though some of them are quite cold-hardy.
This is the case for Yucca linearis 'Cascade', which hardiness is close to that of the much more widespread Yucca rostrata. The botanical type species, Yucca linearis (or Yucca linearifolia), lives in north-central Mexico, as well as in the southwestern United States, in the Rocky Mountains. Growing in semi-desert areas, it is particularly adapted to sandy and stony soils, and under these conditions can withstand dry cold of around -12°C to -15°C. The 'Cascade' variety is a selection from 2019 by the French nurseryman and enthusiast Frédéric Julien. The leaves with a concave cross-section measure only 3 to 5 mm wide at the juvenile stage for a good fifteen cm in length. At maturity, the leaves lengthen to reach about 60 to 80 cm long and their great flexibility allows them to gracefully cascade all around the central axis. The plant then forms a large rosette of green colour, slightly grey-blue depending on the specimen, which leaves stand upright in the centre before cascading more and more as they approach the periphery. The silhouette of this Yucca evokes the glowing orb lights that were fashionable a few years ago, formed of hundreds of light fibres. Very different from the many species with broad, stiff, and prickly leaves like Yucca gloriosa, this Yucca 'Cascade' much more closely resembles certain Dasylirions. With medium to slow growth, it should over time form a short trunk 1.20 m high (this is an estimate, as the variety is still too recent to judge), gradually raising the rosette which could thus reach a height of 2 m (tip of the leaves). The outermost leaves dry out little by little, forming a sort of "skirt" that contributes to the exotic appearance of the plant.

The Yucca linearis 'Cascade' is valuable for its graphic quality and its hardiness, which will allow, even in cool regions far from the south, to give a distinctive look to a border or rockery. Pair it with other cold-hardy plants to create an exotic scene in your garden. The Agave parryi var. neomexicana will allow you to create a strong contrast in every way, thanks to its broad, stocky leaves tending towards blue. To vary the shapes and not limit yourself to rosettes, add a few hardy outdoor "cacti" with stems transformed into prickly pears (of the Opuntia genus) or curious cylinders (Cylindropuntia).