Walton's Plant Library

Other Names:  Aloe Yucca, Dagger Plant

Description:

This tree form variety bears narrow sword-like leaves of bluish-green; short spikes of nodding cream bell flowers with a hint of pink in summer; good for dry sites and coastal areas; great for borders, patios and containers

Ornamental Features

Spanish Bayonet (tree form) features bold panicles of creamy white bell-shaped flowers with pink streaks rising above the foliage from mid to late summer. It has attractive bluish-green evergreen foliage. The spiny sword-like leaves are highly ornamental and remain bluish-green throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Spanish Bayonet (tree form) is an evergreen plant with a strong central leader and 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 plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Spiny

Spanish Bayonet (tree form) is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Spanish Bayonet (tree form) will grow to be about 20 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 6 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 3 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.

This plant 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 species is native to parts of North America.

Spanish Bayonet (tree form) is a fine choice for the yard, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. Its large size and upright habit of growth lend it for use as a solitary accent, or in a composition surrounded by smaller plants around the base 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.