Scientific:
Yucca rostrata
Pronounciation: YUK-ka ro-STRA-ta
Common: beak yucca, Izote Kikapú
Family: Asparagaceae (subfamily Agavoideae)
Origin: Higher Chihuahuan Desert of north central Mexico
Hardiness zones
Sunset 8-24
USDA 6-11
Landscape Use: Strong accent or focal point, year-around sculptural interest, xeriscape or desert landscapes of all types.
Form & Character: Arborescent, stiff and upright, foreboding, awesome, untouchable.
Growth Habit: Evergreen, fibrous, monocot perennial large shrub to small tree, slow growth to 10 feet or more in height, branched when mature, relatively thick trunk.
Foliage/Texture: Leaves are strap shaped, flexible, sometimes even reflexed (not stiff like Yucca rigida), 2-feet long by 1/2-inch wide, variable in color, mostly powder blue, but asometimes glaucous green with yellow margins; medium coarse texture
Flowers & Fruits: Clustered white flowers on a 3-feet tall stalk; fruits not ornamental.
Seasonal Color: Awesome white flowers during spring.
Temperature: Tolerant of cold to -20oF. May show leaf
tip dieback during excessively hot summers.
Light: Full sun
Soil: As with other xeric yuccas, well-drained soil is a must requirement
and rocky porous soil is preferred.
Watering: Rarely apply supplemental water.
Pruning: None, though many shave old leaves to reveal outstanding trunk character.
Propagation: Seed
Disease and Pests: Root rot, grubs or larval stages of desert beetles
feed on roots. Treatment includes application of diazinon granules to the soil.
Additional comments: This is an exceptionally attractive large yucca for a variety of landscape spaces. It is currently very popular in Phoenix, a landscape architect's favorite! The availability of this wonderful landscape accent shrub in the southwest United States is largely credited to the hard work of Mountain States Wholesale Nursery in Wilcox, Arizona.
