About
Hesperaloe parviflora, the small-flowered hesperaloe or red yucca, is a yucca-like perennial forming clumps of arching, linear, leathery leaves to 80 cm long, often with thread-like marginal filaments. In summer, elegant flowerspikes to 1.5 m carry numerous tubular, coral-pink flowers, yellow within � an important nectar plant for hummingbirds. A beautiful and drought-tolerant plant for a sunny, well-drained garden.
About the genus
Hesperaloe are yucca-like perennials from Texas and Mexico forming rosettes of long, narrow, leathery leaves often with marginal fibres, and tall panicles or racemes of tubular, orange-red or pink flowers in summer. Dramatic, drought-tolerant plants for sunny, well-drained, frost-free gardens.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeCactus Succulent, Grass Like
HabitTufted
FoliageEvergreen
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, Sub-tropical
Native toUSA (Texas) to NE Mexico
Care notes
CultivationOutdoors, grow in poor to moderately fertile, sharply-drained, neutral to acid soil in full sun. Protect from excessive winter wet. Under glass, grow in standard cactus compost in full light. In growth water moderately and apply a low-nitrogen fertiliser monthly; water sparingly in winter; see hardy cacti and succulents cultivation for further advice
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed or separating offsets in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to scale insects and aphids when flowering
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free