Yucca Red

Hesperaloe parviflora

Characteristics

Culture

Yucca Red is easily grown in dry, sandy, sharply-drained soils in full sun. It thrives in hot, dry, desert conditions, but is also surprisingly winter hardy to USDA Zone 5. The key to growing this plant well is having superior soil drainage. Excellent heat resistance and drought tolerance. Yucca Red will self-seed in the landscape. May be propagated by clump division. Tolerates urban conditions.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Hesperaloe parviflora, commonly known as red yucca, coral yucca, hummingbird yucca, redflower false yucca, and samandoque, is a yucca-like evergreen perennial succulent. It is native to the Chihuahuan desert in western Texas south into northeastern Mexico where it is typically found growing in desert areas, prairies, rocky slopes, and mesquite groves. Although it is closely related to yuccas, it is a member of the century plant family not the yucca family. Narrow, arching, sword-like, blue-green leaves grow in basal clumps to 3-4’ tall spreading to 6’ wide. Although the leaves are evergreen, they often acquire purple or reddish-bronze tints in cold winter climates. Each leaf has distinctive thread-like marginal hairs. Red to pink tubular flowers in branching inflorescences rise well above the foliage clump on red flower stalks to  4-6’ tall. In cold winter climates, flowers bloom in early to mid-summer with frequent rebloom into fall. but Excellent hummingbird plant.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Deer like to feed on the unarmed foliage and flower spikes. Aphids often appear when flowers are in bloom. Watch for scale.

Garden Uses

Desert gardens, rock gardens, path margins. Also can be massed for enjoyment of its long summer bloom. Plant for winter interest. Good large container plant.

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Courtesy of Missouri Botanical Society Plant Finder