Plant Finder

Other Names:  Tree Yucca

Description:

This native, tree form variety bears dagger like dark green foliage with narrow white margins at the end of the branches; short spikes of nodding cream bell flowers in spring; a visually stunning accent tree, good for dry, hot sites

Ornamental Features

Joshua Tree features bold panicles of creamy white bell-shaped flowers rising above the foliage from late winter to mid spring. It has attractive dark green foliage edged in white. The spiny sword-like leaves are highly ornamental and remain dark green throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Joshua Tree is an evergreen plant with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other landscape plants with finer foliage.

This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting birds, bees and butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Spiny

Joshua Tree is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Joshua Tree will grow to be about 25 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 20 feet. It has a high canopy of foliage that sits well above the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. As it matures, the lower branches of this tree can be strategically removed to create a high enough canopy to support unobstructed human traffic underneath. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live to a ripe old age of 150 years or more; think of this as a heritage plant for future generations!

This plant should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for xeriscaping or the moisture-conserving landscape. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in sandy soils, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is native to parts of North America. It can be propagated by division.

Joshua Tree is a fine choice for the yard, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. Its large size and upright habit of growth lend it for use as a solitary accent, or in a composition surrounded by smaller plants around the base and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when grown in a container, it may not perform exactly as indicated on the tag - this is to be expected. Also note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.