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Plant New Mexico False Yucca for Spiky Garden Texture
The large, upright leaves of hesperaloe funifera, a Texas native, add welcome texture to drought-tolerant gardens
While people often choose a plant for its attractive foliage or ability to flower, its texture can be another attractive trait. For arid gardens throughout the Southwest, look no further than New Mexico false yucca (Hesperaloe funifera) to add spiky texture. This member of the agave family adds a lovely green color to the garden, and its long, narrow leaves contrast the foliage of softer shrubs and ground covers. It’s hard to find a plant that needs less maintenance than this Texas native, which thrives in full sun, needs little water and produces a flowering stalk in late spring.
Distinguishing traits. New Mexico false yucca’s 4-foot-long leaves are evergreen and stiff. Each one has curling, white filaments along the edges, adding an unexpected design element.
While the leaves contribute to the appearance of an upright ornamental grass, they are actually arranged in a rosette pattern. As this spiky plant ages, new rosette clumps are produced outside the older part of it, which slowly increases its width.
While the leaves contribute to the appearance of an upright ornamental grass, they are actually arranged in a rosette pattern. As this spiky plant ages, new rosette clumps are produced outside the older part of it, which slowly increases its width.
After several years a flower stalk can appear in late spring, which can grow up to 15 feet tall. The flowers are creamy white and have a bell-shaped blossom. Once the blooms have faded, the stalk can be removed.
Hesperaloe ‘Pink Parade’ is a hybrid of H. funifera and H. parviflora. It has the best attributes of its parents, with pale pink flowers that appear in spring.
How to use it. Place this large hesperaloe species where its spiky growth habit can best be appreciated, such as flanking an entry or a courtyard. This Texas native also makes a great container plant. It can thrive in areas that receive hot, reflected heat, such as a west-facing wall, where its upright leaves cast decorative shadows.
Plant New Mexico false yucca in a group of three to five and surround it with low-growing plants, such as blackfoot daisy (Melampodium leucanthum), damianita (Chrysactinia mexicana), firecracker penstemon (Penstemon eatonii), golden barrel cactus (Echinocactus grusonii) and trailing indigo bush (Dalea greggii).
Plant New Mexico false yucca in a group of three to five and surround it with low-growing plants, such as blackfoot daisy (Melampodium leucanthum), damianita (Chrysactinia mexicana), firecracker penstemon (Penstemon eatonii), golden barrel cactus (Echinocactus grusonii) and trailing indigo bush (Dalea greggii).
Planting notes. Plant it in well-drained soil in an area that receives full sun. No supplemental fertilizer is needed. It is easy to underestimate the mature size of this accent plant, so make sure to give it plenty of room to grow and spread out.
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See more Houzz gardening guides
Botanical name: Hesperaloe funifera
Common names: New Mexico false yucca, giant hesperaloe, giant yucca
Origin: Native to Texas and northern Mexico
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 23.3 degrees Celsius (USDA Zone 6; find your zone)
Water requirement: Low
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 5 feet tall and 6 feet wide; 10- to 15-foot-tall flowering spike
Benefits and tolerances: Drought-tolerant
When to plant: Spring, fall and winter from seed, transplants or divisions of older plants