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Color Guard Yucca
Yucca filamentosa 'Color Guard'
Color Guard Yucca Shrubs have sword-shaped, arching leaves striped with of fragrant, showy spikes of creamy-white blooms that contrast nicely against dark green. Highly tolerant of wind, heat, humidity and drought, plant in mass - ideal as an accent in the landscape or container plant.
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Color Guard Yucca (Yucca filamentosa 'Color Guard') is a striking evergreen plant that adds vibrant color and texture to any landscape. Known for its bold, sword-shaped leaves with golden-yellow centers and green margins, this yucca creates a dramatic focal point in gardens, borders, or containers. In summer, tall spikes of white, bell-shaped flowers rise above the foliage, providing an additional layer of interest and attracting pollinators. Color Guard Yucca thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it an excellent choice for drought-tolerant landscapes and xeriscaping projects. Its low-maintenance nature and year-round appeal make it a favorite for adding structure and color to gardens.
Highly adaptable, Color Guard Yucca is both deer-resistant and tolerant of heat, poor soil, and even coastal conditions, making it suitable for a wide range of environments. The plant's unique variegated foliage remains colorful even through winter, adding visual interest to the garden all year long. Perfect for low-water landscapes, rock gardens, or as an architectural accent, this versatile yucca brings bold, easy-care beauty to any setting. Ideal for gardeners looking to add texture and contrast to their landscape, Color Guard Yucca is a must-have for vibrant, drought-resistant designs.
| Hardiness Zone: | 4-10 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | 3 to 4 feet in Flower |
| Mature Width: | 3 to 4 feet |
| Classification: | Broad Leaved evergreen shrub, Summer flowering |
| Sunlight: | Partial to Full Sun |
| Habit: | Upright, clump forming |
| Flower Color: | White |
| Foliage: | Green edged in creamy white |
| Pruning Season: | No Pruning Needed |
| Soil Condition: | Any well drained soil |
| Water Requirements: | Water well until established. |
| Uses: | Extremely attractive when used as a focal point in the mixed border, mass planting, or a hedge. Great winter interest due to evergreen habit. |
How to Care for Color Guard Yucca
Be sure to read our planting instructions to ensure a healthy and happy plant for years to come!
How do I Plant Color Guard Yucca?
To plant Color Guard Yucca, start by selecting a location that receives full sun, as this drought-tolerant perennial thrives in bright, direct sunlight. Choose well-drained soil, as Yuccas do not tolerate standing water or overly moist conditions; sandy or gritty soil is ideal for preventing root rot. Begin by digging a hole that is twice the width of the root ball and just as deep. Carefully remove the plant from its container, gently loosen the roots, and position the yucca in the hole with the top of the root ball level with the surrounding ground. Fill in with soil, ensuring that the plant is secure but not buried too deeply, and water thoroughly to help the plant settle in. Once planted, Color Guard Yucca requires minimal maintenance, making it an excellent choice for low-water or xeriscape gardens. After establishing, the plant becomes quite drought-tolerant, only needing occasional watering during extended dry periods. Adding a layer of gravel or coarse mulch around the base will help keep the soil warm and reduce moisture retention, while also giving a polished look to the planting bed. Because Color Guard Yucca is deer-resistant and tolerant of poor soils, it works well in rock gardens, borders, or as an accent plant, adding year-round architectural interest with its vibrant, variegated foliage and tall, dramatic flower spikes.
How do I Water Color Guard Yucca?
Watering Color Guard Yucca properly is essential for ensuring its healthy growth while maintaining its drought-tolerant nature. When first planting your Color Guard Yucca, water deeply to help establish a strong root system, and continue to water weekly for the first few months. It’s important to let the soil dry out completely between waterings to prevent root rot. Once established, Color Guard Yucca requires very little water, as it is well-adapted to dry conditions. In fact, overwatering is a common mistake with yucca plants, which thrive best in dry soil that mimics their natural arid environment. During the growing season, you can water your Color Guard Yucca once every two to three weeks, or more frequently if you notice the leaves beginning to shrivel. In colder months, reduce watering significantly, as the plant goes semi-dormant and needs less moisture. When watering, aim for the base of the plant rather than wetting the leaves, as this helps to avoid fungal issues. Remember that Color Guard Yucca is highly drought-resistant, so it's better to underwater than overwater, keeping the plant healthy and vibrant in any well-drained garden setting.
How do I Fertilize Color Guard Yucca?
To fertilize Color Guard Yucca effectively, use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as the growing season begins. A balanced fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio like 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 works well to provide the necessary nutrients for healthy foliage growth and vibrant flower spikes. Apply the fertilizer around the base of the plant, making sure not to let it come into direct contact with the foliage to avoid burning. Since Color Guard Yucca is adapted to thrive in low-nutrient soils, it's important not to over-fertilize. A light application once a year is typically enough to keep the plant in good health, promoting vibrant variegation and strong, sturdy growth. In addition to spring fertilizing, you can supplement with an organic compost layer around the plant to enrich the soil and improve moisture retention without overwhelming the roots. This organic matter will gradually release nutrients, supporting the plant's growth throughout the season. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, as they can cause excessive leaf growth at the expense of flower production and can make the plant more prone to rot. By providing moderate fertilization, Color Guard Yucca will maintain its striking variegated foliage and produce stunning flower spikes, adding architectural interest and color to your landscape year after year.
How do I Prune Color Guard Yucca?
Pruning Color Guard Yucca is a straightforward process that helps maintain the plant's shape, encourage new growth, and keep it looking tidy. Start by removing any dead or damaged leaves throughout the year, especially in early spring before the growing season. Use sharp, clean pruning shears to trim away the older, brown leaves at the base of the plant. These dead leaves can be easily pulled away or cut close to the trunk, which not only improves the overall appearance but also prevents pests from hiding in the decaying foliage. Removing these spent leaves keeps the plant looking clean and allows it to focus energy on healthy, new growth. After the flowering period, you should prune the flower stalks of your Color Guard Yucca to encourage the plant to maintain its beautiful foliage. Once the flower spikes have finished blooming and the blossoms fade, cut the flower stalk back to the base to prevent the plant from expending energy on seed production. If the plant becomes too large or begins to grow offsets, or “pups,” you can also prune or separate these to control the size and propagate new plants. Proper pruning will ensure that your Color Guard Yucca remains a vibrant focal point in your landscape, with its bright variegated foliage providing year-round interest.
