Dasylirion wheeleri
Desert Spoon
Desert Spoon is an outstanding accent plant. Leaf stalks are toothed so plant away from traffic areas. Flowers bloom on tall stalks several feet high. Canopy coverage: 20 square feet.
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Euphorbia polychroma
Cushion Spurge
Cushion Spurge is so-named due to its rounded, mounding growth that reminds one of a chair cushion. Its eye-catching, sulphur yellow color comes from the bracts, modified leaves, that surround the insignificant greenish flowers. Accepts some shade but better appearance in full sun. Sap may irritate skin. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Euphorbia rigida
Gopher Plant
A distinctive plant that you won't soon forget once you see it in the landscape. Brilliant chrome yellow flowers bloom at the tips of 2-foot-long lime green branches. Form and color are dramatic; use as an accent to spice up the scene. Canopy coverage: 13 square feet.
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Fouquieria splendens
Ocotillo
Ocotillo is an iconic plant of the desert with a distinctive silhouette. A common name, Buggy Whip, helps describe its form. Canopy coverage: 177 square feet.
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Hesperaloe funifera
Giant Hesperaloe
Not a member of Yucca genus, but it is definitely yuccalike in appearance. Notable feature is tall candelabra of bell-shaped flowers that bloom on tall stalks.
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Hesperaloe parviflora
Red Yucca
One of the best accent plants around. Common name is Red Yucca, but it is not a Yucca but a different genus, Hesperaloe. Yellow-flowering forms are available. The selection 'Brakelight' produces more intense red flowers. (See photos.) Canopy coverage: 20 square feet.
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Hesperoyucca whipplei
Our Lord's Candle
Like agaves, it flowers one time and then dies. Flower stalk grows tall—up to 10 feet or more. Generally a few pups (small plants) form around its base to ensure its long-term survival. Accepts some shade. Leaves are armed with sharp points, so avoid planting near walkways. Canopy coverage: 28 square feet.
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Nolina bigelovii
Bigelow's Nolina, Beargrass
This yuccalike accent plant is a member of the lily family. It grows in a large rosette form with a trunk to 3 feet high. This is topped with 3- to 4-foot-long narrow leaves. Accepts most soils as long as it is well draining. Canopy coverage: 28 square feet.
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Nolina matapensis
Tree Bear Grass
After many years Tree Bear Grass can take on a form reminiscent of the iconic Joshua Tree. Canopy coverage: 28 square feet.
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Nolina microcarpa
Bear Grass
The form of Beargrass is a wide-spreading, grasslike clump. Not a plant for close-up viewing, but valued for its ability to thrive in less-than-ideal conditions. Canopy coverage: 50 square feet.
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Nolina texana
Texas Bear Grass
The thin leaves of Texas Bear Grass are long, up to 4 feet, and leathery in texture. Showy when allowed to drape and trail over an edge or bank. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Sedum 'Autumn Joy'
Autumn Joy Stonecrop
This succulent is a hybrid of Sedum telephium and Sedum spectabile. 'Autumn Joy' grows as a rounded clump. Flowers bloom in late summer, emerging as salmon pink then turning bronze to rust in the fall. In hot summer regions locate plants where they will receive some afternoon shade. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Yucca aloifolia
Spanish Bayonet
Spanish Bayonet certainly earns its common name with stiff, sword-shaped leaves to 2 feet long or more, armed with sharp points. Locate carefully, well away from paths and entries. Widely adapted to range of climates, from the desert to the coast. Canopy coverage: 20 square feet.
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Yucca baccata
Banana Yucca
Banana Yucca produces profuse numbers of white, bell-shaped flowers on stalks 2 feet high. Edible bananalike fruit follow. Leaves are stiff and pointed. Canopy coverage: 20 square feet.
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Yucca brevifolia
Joshua Tree
Iconic tree that represents California's high elevation deserts. This wide-spreading Yucca has stiff, sword-shaped leaves up to 2 feet long. Plant well away from entries and walkways. Demands dry conditions with well draining soil. Canopy coverage: 707 square feet.
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Yucca elata
Soaptree Yucca
The graceful form and silhouette of Soaptree Yucca makes it a great choice for a desert landscape. Tall flower stalks and 3-foot spikes are dramatic. Canopy coverage: 50 square feet.
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Yucca filamentosa 'Golden Sword'
Adam's Needle
Adam's Needle is one of most cold hardy of all Yuccas. Selections with striped leaves such as 'Golden Sword', shown in photos, are also available. Canopy coverage: 13 square feet.
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Yucca glauca
Soapweed Yucca, Narrowleaf Yucca
This Yucca can be grown as single specimen or in spreading clumps. Accepts more shade that most Yuccas. Swordlike leaves have interesting filaments along the edges. Canopy coverage: 13 square feet.
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Yucca harrimaniae
New Mexico Yucca
New Mexico Yucca is one of the smaller Yuccas with leaves that vary in size and color. Leaves have brown margins adorned with white filaments. Canopy coverage: 1 square foot.
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Yucca pallida
Pale-Leaf Yucca
Light gray to silvery leaf color allows Pale Leaf Yucca to provide interest and contrast to nearby plantings. Leaves are long and slender. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Yucca rigida
Blue Yucca
The globe-shaped rosette of blue-hued leaves of Blue Yucca create a striking accent. Flowers are borne in clusters on tall stalks. Canopy coverage: 20 square feet.
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