Red Yucca 

Brief Description

The Red Yucca is a staple in desert landscaping. Because it’s a yucca, it stands out in a sea of shrubs, it has beautiful red or yellow flowers and is very low maintenance. 

Origin

Texas & Mexico 

Description 

Common Name – Red Yucca 

Botanical Name – Hesperaloe Parviflora

Plant Type – Evergreen

Mature Size – 2 to 3 feet tall (Flower stalk grows up to 5 feet) and 2 to 4 feet wide

Sun Exposure – Full Sun 

Bloom Time – Summer 

Flower Color – Red, Pink or Yellow/white 

Hardiness Zone – 6 to 10 

Planting

Because the Red Yucca is relatively small and it doesn’t spread a lot during its life, you can fit them in fairly tight locations. In their infancy, make sure they receive an adequate amount of water. They love full sun, so plant them in an open area. and thrive with little to no water. Once established, reduce irrigation water significantly, as they are desert-dwellers and need very little water. 

Care

This shrub is very low maintenance. Once a year, after the flowers bloom & seed pods grow, cut the flower stalks to the ground because the stalks are unsightly if you leave them up. Keep in mind that it originated in arid areas, so make sure it’s not getting too much water because less water is better than more water. 

Flowers 

The flowers grow on stalks and they’re predominantly either a hue of red, pink or yellow/white. 

Varieties 

One variety we like is the ‘Brake Light’ because of its bright red flowers. The ‘Little Giant’ is slightly smaller than other varieties and has beautiful pink flowers. 

Invasive

The Red Yucca is not invasive. 

For other shrubs that are perfectly suited for Greater Prescott, read about the Russian Sage here.

Lastly, we highly recommend Watter’s Garden Center, Mortimer Nursery, or Prescott Valley Nursery as great places to both purchase shrubs & trees but to also ask questions because these are the experts.