No matter where you live, this yucca is probably cold hardy because it maintains a larger northern geographic distribution than other Yucca species. Soapweed yucca can be found throughout much of the west, from New Mexico and Texas north to the far reaches of Saskatchewan, Canada where it naturally grows in dry plains and sandhills. It was mentioned in the Lewis and Clark journals as being harvested by the Shoshone for soap making, hence the common name "soapweed" yucca. It matures to a modest size and is a very hardy. In fact, it is reported to survive temperatures as low as thirty-five degrees below zero (Fahrenheit) in the northern sand hills and plains.
This yucca forms a nearly stemless, symmetrical rosette of fine-textured, needle-sharp blades. Each rosette produces a tall, unusually narrow flower stalk in summer which bears large, waxy ivory blooms, tinged with rosy pink or green, which are bell-shaped and beautiful. It is pollinated at night by yucca moths, which are lured by the flower’s natural luminescence. The spent flowers turn to brown, capsule-like fruits that burst open to release many flattened seeds.
Asking little more than sun and very well-drained soil, soapweed yucca is a carefree and very rewarding choice for wild and native gardens, western-themed landscapes and as an accent in spare, modern compositions. Its coarse, upright foliage is also highly deer resistant. (source: learn2grow.com)
Genus - Yucca
Species - Glauca
Common name - Soap weed
Pre-Treatment - Required
Hardiness zones - 4 - 8
Height - 2'-4' / 0.6m - 1.2m
Spread - 2'-4' / 0.6m - 1.2m
Plant type - Shrub
Vegetation type - Evergreen
Exposure - Full Sun, Partial Sun
Growth rate - Medium
Soil PH - Neutral
Soil type - Clay, loam, sand, well drained
Water requirements - Average Water, drought tolerant
Landscape uses - Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Wildflower
Germination rate - 75%
Bloom season - Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
Leaf / Flower color - Green, light green / White, Ivory White
Useful Info | |
Germination | 1. Place the seeds in a glass of water to soak for 24 hours. This softens the hard outer seed coat, making germination easier. Stratify in the fridge for 21 days. It will increase the germination rate. Seeds can be unstratified as described bellow, but the rate will be lower. <br /> 2. Fill peat pots with starting media to within 1 1/2 inches of the top. A superior starting media for yucca is a mixture of sand, peat and vermiculite, but any starting media will do.<br /> 3. Set the peat pots on a tray and moisten the soil with water. Pour off any water that collects in the tray.<br /> 4. Place a seed in the center of each peat pot and cover with 1/2 inch of soil.<br /> 5. Place the tray of peat pots inside a large plastic bag and seal the bag. Place the bag in an area with temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees.<br /> 6. Remove the bag when seedlings emerge. This usually takes one to two weeks but may take much longer, depending upon the species.<br /> 7. Place the pots in a sunny window or under artificial lighting.<br /> 8. Transplant seedlings outdoors in spring when temperatures are above 60F (+16C). |