Yucca filamentosa
Common name: Adam's needle, Adam's thread
Dimensions: Yucca filamentosa is an acaulescent evergreen species around 4-5 ft wide.
Foliage: The foliage is 1-2 ft long and 1.5 in. wide. The leaves are flexible and straight. Yucca filamentosa has a lot of varieties and hybrids with insignificant differences in appearance. Â
Flowers: The flowering stalk is arising 4-15 ft high. The numerous flowers are in white or creamy color and appear July through August. After blooming and producing seeds plant dies but can be reproduced by several buds near base. Â
Allocation: Adam’s needle grows on Atlantic coast from Gulf of Mexico north to New Jersey and west to Mississippi. This plant is extensively cultivating by human over most of the United States including northeast and southwestern areas. It is very popular in Britain and Europe.
Reproduction: By seeds, by offshoots or root cuttings.
Growing requirements: Yucca filamentosa is one of the cold tolerable plants handling temperatures down to -20°F. Yucca prefers well-drained rich or sandy soil. It likes full sun but can live in a partial shade.
Related species: The taxonomic status of Adam’s needle has been debated for years. Some botanists consider it and Yucca flaccida one species. Confusion in the identification of these plants was created because of natural hybridization and the numerous horticultural varieties. Even though their appearance is alike, some characteristics are unique for every plant. The leaves of Yucca flaccida are limp and curved back but leaves of filamentosa (especially those at the center of rosette) are straight and inflexible. Also, Yucca filamentosa has long straight and noticeable panicle (around 4 ft tall) while flaccida has wider and slightly risen above the leaves.
Uses: Adam’s needle is among the oldest and widely grown yuccas. It has been using in North American and British gardens since XVI century during colonial period. It provides unforgettable and outstanding style along with evergreens or perennials and stands out as popular ornamental plant. Yucca filamentosa is highly attractive cane plant outdoors and indoors as well.