This clump-forming shrub is putting on a show of flower on the Chronological Bed.
Introduced to our gardens in the mid-1600’s Yucca filamentosa is a native of coastal plains of the south-eastern United States where it grows in sand dunes, wasteland and pine woodlands. It is one of approximately 40 species of woody-based, rosette-forming trees and shrubs which have linear, lance-shaped leaves. The leaves of Y. filamentosa are rigid and reach 80cm in length. They can be erect or spreading, and the leaf margins have thread-like filaments. The flower panicles can be up to 2m tall, and bear numerous nodding, cream-white, bell-shaped flowers. Though exotic in appearance this is a hardy species which thrives in a sunny position in well-drained soils.