Color Guard yucca is good as gold
February 20, 2014
‘Color Guard’ yucca may be moving toward Knock Out rose status, ubiquitous next to drive-through lanes at Taco Cabana, in gas station medians, and in xeriscaped neighborhood entrances. But I don’t care. It’s still golden to me.
With winter color like this and a tolerance for summer’s heat and drought (and good cold tolerance in more northerly climates), who could resist?
Not me. Top marks! I award it the gold medal.
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Great plant that always gets a second look from first-time visitors to my yard.
It can take a lot of bad weather. I spotted a row of them holding up quite well on a very cold icy day in Virginia last fall.
It’s such a versatile and showy plant. I’m using so many of them now that I really hope it doesn’t become susceptible to the agave weevil or some other pest. See how my mind works? —Pam
Pam and Shirley, you both have inspired me to add them to my front yard! They are everything I’ve been looking for to put next to my driveway. And deer resistant to boot!
Melody, it really is a spectacular, tough plant. One note about the deer resistance. Deer seriously damaged two of my smaller ‘Color Guard’ yuccas this winter during the rut, by rubbing their antlers on them. I’m hoping that’s a one-time occurrence, as my other ones have been left alone so far. —Pam
And it still looks way better in your climate than mine. Perhaps it has it too easy here, and a little cold snap encourages it to be more beautiful?
That could be, Hoov. The salmon tinge definitely comes on after freezing weather. But the bright yellow is consistent all year long, which is why I love it so much. —Pam
Ubiquitous or not, a plant that attractive and resilient deserves its spot in a “proper” garden. we have the same issue with Agapanthus here in SoCal – they’re everywhere you look but they still earn their spot in my garden.
You are so right, Kris. —Pam
I’ll be replacing some in our garden that were planted last fall. A couple washed away in the flood, and one other one was pulled up by deer, and I didn’t notice. Hopefully, it will come back to life.
But, they are pretty. And, you’re right, they’re showing up everywhere.
Oh, Linda, your garden really went through some difficult weather conditions last year. And then there’s the deer! —Pam
I’ve had very good luck with ‘Bright Edge’. I think this one is next.
I like ‘Bright Edge’ yucca too, Ricki. I find ‘Color Guard’ to be a bit showier, with more yellow in the leaves, broader leaves, and a more open habit. But they’re both great for brightening up the garden. —Pam
I would love to have a few of those in my garden. I would have to amend the soil so it would drain better. Our wet winters would likely kill them. I have the old fashioned yuccas that are just green tho. They grow well here.
Yuccas seem surprisingly tolerant of winter cold and damp — so unlike agaves. But yes, good drainage is key. —Pam