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Yucca recurvifolia
  • RHS AGM

curved-leaved Spanish dagger

An upright, branching evergreen shrub to 2.5m high, with trunk-like stems and terminal rosettes of lance-shaped, stiff, arching to recurved leaves. Leaves are up to 90cm long, and blue-green when young, maturing to mid-green. Produces upright panicles of pendent, bell-shaped cream flowers from late summer to autumn

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Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
1.5–2.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Blue Green
Summer Cream Blue Green
Autumn Cream Blue Green
Winter Blue Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Asparagaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Potentially harmful
Skin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus

Yucca can be evergreen perennials, shrubs or trees, with dense or loose rosettes of stiff, sword-shaped leaves and tall panicles of bell-shaped flowers

Name status

Correct

Plant range
SE USA

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed, by division removing rooted offsets in spring, or by root cuttings taken in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Architectural
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Remove spent flowering stems

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids on flower spikes and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to leaf spot

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