Yuccas come from Central America, Mexico and the southern USA and have been cultivated here for three centuries. They are exotic architectural plants that have striking lance shaped, rigid leaves. In mid to late summer, six foot flower stalks hold candelabra-like panicles of nodding bell shaped white flowers. 'Variegate' is a charming, small, clump forming shrub with basal rosettes of inverse lance shaped, blueish green, 30 inch leaves that are tinged with cream, with curly white threads along the leaf margins. It may be grown in sun in any well drained soil, but in frost prone areas should be kept in a sheltered courtyard or cool conservatory.
Propagation: Remove rooted suckers in spring. Take root cuttings in winter. |
Nothing gives a greater sense of timelessness than a backdrop of finely clipped, dark green yew hedging. By contrast, Taxus baccata 'Tastigiata Aureomarginata', with its yellow margined, needle-like, evergreen leaves, is a plant that demands a prominent position. I have seen symmetrical pairs flanking a path and looking spectacular, especially in spring when the trees were surrounded by masses of blue Brunnera macrophylla. At maturity, this yew will be about twelve feet tall with a five foot girth but may be kept smaller by regular clipping. Like all yews, it will grow in any well drained, fertile soil in sun or deep shade.
Propagation: Insert semi ripe cuttings in late summer or early autumn, taken from strongly upright shoots. |
For those who like architectural plants to give their garden some dramatic structure, Cordyline australis is a palm-like tree from New Zealand that will bestow a sense of exotic grandeur. Its lance shaped, arching, light green leaves, up to three feet long, are its greatest asset and they are especially eye-catching in older specimens. A mature Cordyline australis grows up to 30 feet and will carry three foot large panicles of tiny, fragrant, creamy white flowers in the spring. Cordylines like fertile, well drained soil in sun or partial shade and, because they are slightly tender, they will grow best in a sheltered courtyard or in pots in colder areas.
Propagation: Sow seed at 16°C in spring. Remove well rooted suckers in spring. |
