Hardiness zones
Sunset 10-13
USDA 8-11
Landscape Use: Strong landscape accent plant for xeric landscape themes
Form & Character: upright, stiffly pendant, yucca like
Growth Habit: Moderate upright to 20' with a tufted 4-5' foliar canopy at and near the terminus, will become sparsely arborescent with age.
Foliage/Texture: Medium green juvenile foliage maturing into powder blue adult foliage, all very finely serrulate (like other Nolina sp., blue nolina inflicts major deep paper cuts if mishandled!), 1.5-2" wide by 12-18" long, medium fine texture.
Flowers & Fruits: Paniculate, small yellowish white flowers on a large 6-10' panicled stalk; fruits 3 lobed somewhat inflated.
Seasonal Color: Summer flowers when plants mature.
Temperature: Tolerant, hardy to 10oF
Light: Full sun
Soil: WELL DRAINED soil is required, especially in winter when soils can be damp and cold
Watering: Some deep and infrequent water is needed during summer if this plant is being grown in lower desert landscapes. No water other than rainfall is needed in winter.
Pruning: Remove dead or dying foliage to give that clean, urban 'pineappled' haircut
Propagation: Seed, cold stratification quickens germination. Very slow to establish growing only 10 leaves in first 2 years.
Disease and pests: Fungal root rot common in cold damp soils, deer resistant
Additional comments: Blue nolina grows well in the Phoenix/Tucson areas. Also, will grow will in Prescott and Payson. Sorry Flagstaff, it's too cold for you all to grow this exquisite accent shrub. Blue nolina is not widely grown by wholesale nurseries and usually only larger specimens are available for purchase costing in excess of $200/plant. For best availability, contact Mountain States Wholesale Nursery in Glendale, AZ. Blue nolina is one of the largest nolinas.