Overview
Yucca whipplei is a perennial in the genus Yucca, part of the Q157167 family. It typically grows around 2.0 m tall. Yucca whipplei grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include rock gardens, xeriscaping and borders. It is native to California and Baja California.
About
Yucca whipplei is a perennial yucca that produces a tall flowering habit, typically reaching about 2.0 m and bearing fragrant blooms from June to August. It favours openly exposed, sunlit sites on free-draining soils. The plant tolerates a range of soil types — sandy, loamy or clay — provided drainage is good. Its stature and summer flowers make it suited to rock gardens, xeriscaping and bold border positions.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Hesperoyucca whipplei
About the genus
Yucca is both the scientific name and common name for a genus native to North America from Panama to southern Canada. It contains 50 accepted species. In addition to yucca, they are also known as Adam's needle or Spanish-bayonet.
Wikipedia contributors, "Yucca", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Yucca
In the garden
Native to California and Baja California, Yucca whipplei (chaparral yucca) is a perennial adapted to sunny, exposed sites. In the UK it performs best where it receives full sun and has soil that drains freely; acceptable soils include sandy, loamy or clay types so long as they do not remain waterlogged. The species is rated H5, meaning it is hardy in most UK gardens and will tolerate typical winter conditions in milder locations. Plant into a sheltered hole with a gritty mix if your garden has heavier soil, and position where prevailing wind and sun meet to reduce winter wet around the roots. It prefers soil that is moist but well-drained rather than persistently damp. USDA zones 7–11 indicate its wider climatic tolerance, so it suits warmer British sites or those with good winter drainage. Use Yucca whipplei as a structural element in rock gardens, as part of a drought-tolerant scheme or at the back of a border where its height — around 2.0 m — will give vertical emphasis. Expect a concentrated display of fragrant flowers in the summer months (June to August) that is distinctively seasonal for this species.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Yucca
- Sunlight
- full sun
- Soil type
- Sandy, Loamy, Clay
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained, Moist but well-drained
- Exposure
- exposed
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
Yucca whipplei size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- perennial
- Height
- 2.0 m
- Suggested uses
- rock gardens, xeriscaping, borders
- Native to
- California, Baja California
- Fragrance
- fragrant flowers
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Yucca whipplei
- Cultivation
- Prefers well-drained soil; drought tolerant once established
- Pruning
- Remove dead flower stalks after blooming
- Propagation
- seed, offsets
Frequently asked questions
How do I grow Yucca whipplei?
Prefers well-drained soil; drought tolerant once established.
Where is the best place to plant Yucca whipplei?
Yucca whipplei prefers full sun. It suits exposed positions.
What soil does Yucca whipplei need?
Yucca whipplei is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including sandy, loamy and clay. Aim for soil that stays well-drained to moist but well-drained.
How do I prune Yucca whipplei?
Remove dead flower stalks after blooming.
How big does Yucca whipplei grow?
Yucca whipplei reaches a height of 2.0 m.
Is Yucca whipplei hardy in the UK?
Yucca whipplei has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.
How do I propagate Yucca whipplei?
Seed, offsets.
More in the Yucca genus
- Yucca carnerosanagiant Spanish dagger
- Yucca elatasoap tree
- Yucca filamentosaneedle palm
- Yucca filamentosa 'Elegantissima'Adam's Needle
- Yucca filamentosa 'Excalibur'
- Yucca filamentosa 'Rosenglocke'Adam's Needle
- Yucca filamentosa 'Schneefichte'Adam's needle 'Schneefichte'
- Yucca filamentosa 'Variegata'Variegated Adam's Needle