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Dasylirion wheeleri

spoon flower

A tender evergreen tree to 6m, with a dense tuft of narrow, silvery glaucous leaves, the margins with hooked reddish spines; small white flowers are borne in summer on inflorescences to 4m in height

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Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
1–1.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Blue Green
Summer White Blue Green
Autumn Blue Green
Winter Blue Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H2
Botanical details
Family
Asparagaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Dasylirion are dioecious evergreen shrubs or trees with thick stems bearing terminal rosettes of narrow, spiny-edged leaves; tiny star-shaped flowers are borne in long panicles in summer, on mature plants

Name status

Correct

Plant range
USA Mexico

How to grow

Cultivation

Under glass grow in a mix of 2 parts each sand and loam with one part each leaf mould and peat substitute in full light and low humidity. Water freely in summer and keep just moist in winter. Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly from spring to autumn

Propagation

Propagate by seed at 21°C in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.