Plant of the Day
Sunday 10 February 2019
A dramatic addition to the newly planted heather beds at the Royal Horticultural Society Garden Wisley, Surrey, is Yucca rostrata (beaked yucca, tree yucca) which adds an architectural effect. It is interesting how the specimens are scattered through the beds and form a colony in the pathway. This Northern Mexico and Southern USA species is a tree yucca growing up to 3.5m high, with one or more woody stems. The flower stalk can reach up to 1.5m with white flowers in the late summer or autumn. Once the heathers grow the Yucca will provide repetition of form through the mounds of fine texture and colour provided by Erica and Calluna species. Some beehives and a large sculpture of honeycomb have also been added to this reimagined part of the garden.
Jill Raggett