Yucca whipplei
Our Lord's candle
produces a dense, dome-shaped rosette of narrow, spine-tipped, grey-blue, evergreen leaves, to about 1m. Mature plants produce massive flower spikes, potentially to 5m though usually less in gardens. These comprise a stout stem with masses of scented, hanging, bell-shaped, ivory flowers in late summer. Flowers and stem may be flushed with reddish-purple
Other common names
Chaparral yuccaSpanish bayonet
Synonyms
Yucca whipplei subsp. caespitosaYucca whipplei subsp. eremica
see moreYucca whipplei subsp. intermedia
Yucca whipplei subsp. parishii
Yucca whipplei subsp. percursa
Yucca whipplei subsp. whipplei
Yucca peninsularis
Yucca whipplei
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Blue Grey Silver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Cream | Blue Grey Silver | ||
| Autumn | Blue Grey Silver | |||
| Winter | Blue Grey Silver |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Tufted
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- California to Mexico
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow outdoors in any well-drained soil in full sun. See yucca cultivation for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by seed or remove rooted suckers
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning required. The rosette dies after flowering, and should be carefully cut away, but is usually replaced by one or more offsets
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids on flower spikes
Diseases
May be susceptible to yucca leaf spot
Get involved
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