Other Names:  Spanish Dagger, syn. Yucca desmetiana Blue Boy

Description:

This compact variety bears narrow, gracefully arching leaves that are cast in purple; stout spikes of translucent white, pendulous bell flowers in summer; easy to grow, and good for dry sites and coastal areas; great for borders, patios and containers

Ornamental Features

Purple Spanish Bayonet features bold panicles of white bell-shaped flowers rising above the foliage from mid to late summer. It has attractive purple-variegated olive green foliage with hints of burgundy. The sword-like leaves are highly ornamental and remain olive green throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Purple Spanish Bayonet is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub 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 shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should not require much pruning, except when necessary, such as to remove dieback. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Purple Spanish Bayonet is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Purple Spanish Bayonet will grow to be about 4 feet tall at maturity extending to 6 feet tall with the flowers, with a spread of 4 feet. It has a low canopy. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years.

This shrub 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 is a selection of a native North American species.

Purple Spanish Bayonet makes a fine choice for the outdoor landscape, but it is also well-suited for use in outdoor pots and containers. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants 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.