Beaked yucca

Shrub · Succulent

Yucca rostrata

Beaked yucca

Also known as: Yucca linearis

A sculptural, trunk-forming yucca with a perfect sphere of fine, silver-blue leaves.

  • Full sun
  • 2.5–4 m (8–13 ft)
  • 1.5–2.5 m (5–8 ft)
  • H5 · Zone 7
  • June–August
  • Evergreen

Overview

From the deserts of northern Mexico and Texas, the beaked yucca slowly forms a single trunk topped by a dense, spherical head of hundreds of narrow, flexible, powder-blue leaves with fine yellow edges. Mature plants send up tall spikes of white bell-shaped flowers in summer. Old leaves fold down to form a shaggy skirt around the trunk. It is surprisingly cold-hardy (RHS H5, about -15°C) as long as the roots never sit wet, so sharp drainage and full sun are essential.

At a Glance

Sun Full sun
Height 2.5–4 m (8–13 ft)
Spread 1.5–2.5 m (5–8 ft)
Hardiness H5 · Zone 7
Flowers June–August
Soil Chalk, Sand
Moisture Dry
Habit Rosette-forming, Tree-like
Water Low
Maintenance Easy

Growing Conditions

Min. Temperature -15°C (5°F)
pH Range 6–8.5
Fertility Poor
Drainage Free Draining

Aspect Suitability

  • South-facing
  • West-facing

Site Tolerance

  • Exposed sites
  • Wind
  • Coastal
  • Salt
  • Drought

Soil Tolerance

  • Chalk
  • Sandy
  • Acid
  • Neutral pH
  • Alkaline

Foliage

Yucca rostrata (Beaked yucca)
Yucca rostrata (Beaked yucca)
Yucca rostrata (Beaked yucca)
Persistence Evergreen
Colour Blue-grey, Silver
Leaf shape / texture linear_rigid
  • Architectural foliage

Foliage interest: 12 months of the year

Seasonal Timeline

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Flowering
Foliage
Propagate
  • Flowering Jun Jul Aug
  • Foliage 12 months of the year
  • Propagate Mar Apr May

Maintenance Calendar

  • Apr Plant in spring into a raised spot with lots of grit or gravel, so the roots settle before the following winter wet
  • Jun Water only newly planted yuccas in long droughts, as overwatering is far more dangerous than dryness
  • Sep Leave the dead lower leaves in place, because they shade and insulate the trunk
  • Nov Clear fallen leaves out of the crown so rain cannot sit in the centre and cause rot

Garden Design

Works well in: Desert / Dry, Mediterranean, Modern / Contemporary

Plant on a mound or raised bed of gritty soil as the centrepiece of a dry or gravel garden. Do not cut off the skirt of dead leaves, which protects the trunk.

Companion planting: Agaves, Opuntias, Grasses, Gravel plants

Wildlife Value

  • Moths
  • Other pollinators
  • Shelter

Safety

  • Toxic to dogs
  • Toxic to cats
  • Toxic to horses

Contains saponins, toxic to dogs, cats and horses if chewed. Leaf tips are sharp; keep away from paths at eye height.