Description
Botanical Overview
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Scientific Name: Yucca gloriosa ‘Variegata’ (synonym: Aureovariegata) – a variegated cultivar of Yucca gloriosa
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Common Names: Variegated Spanish Dagger, Spanish Bayonet, Variegated Yucca
Appearance & Growth
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Leaves: Evergreen, rigid, spine-tipped, sword-shaped leaves with creamy-yellow or golden margins that contrast with green or blue-green centres
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Size: Mature height and spread typically range from 1.5 to 2.5 m (5–8 ft), though smaller specimens may reach around 60 cm (2 ft). Growth is relatively slow, and full size may take between 10 to 20 years
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Inflorescence: Tall flowering stalks rise in summer to early autumn (June–September), bearing creamy-white, bell-shaped flowers in panicles often reaching 2 m high
Cultivation & Care
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Light & Soil: Prefers full sun; tolerates light partial shade. Thrives in well-drained soil, including sandy or poor soils.
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Hardiness: Very hardy—from –10 °C (USDA Zone 7) down to –20 °C in well-drained conditions—the cultivar is known to withstand frost and snow
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Maintenance: Low maintenance annual care. Just remove spent flower stalks and any dead foliage; generally, no pruning needed.
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Pests & Wildlife: More or less pest-resistant; may occasionally suffer from aphids on flower spikes or leaf spot. Flowers are attractive to bees and birds.
Awards & Landscape Value
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Garden Merit: Recipient of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit, confirming its ornamental value and reliability.
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Landscape Use: Excellent architectural specimen for modern, Mediterranean, coastal, or desert-style gardens. Works well in gravel borders, city gardens, container planting, and Mediterranean schemes.
Summary Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Evergreen, stiff, sword-shaped leaves with creamy-yellow margins |
| Height/Spread | ~1.5–2.5 m (5–8 ft) over 10–20 years (smaller in young specimens) |
| Flowers | Creamy-white, bell-shaped in tall panicles (late summer to autumn) |
| Growing Conditions | Full sun to part shade, well-drained soil, drought & frost tolerant |
| Maintenance | Minimal—just remove spent blooms and dead foliage |
| Wildlife | Attracts bees and birds; generally pest-resistant |
| Uses | Architectural plant, container specimen, Mediterranean/coastal gardens |
| Awards | RHS Award of Garden Merit highlighted cultivar |
In essence, Yucca gloriosa ‘Variegata’ is a bold, evergreen architectural beauty, defined by its striking variegated foliage and elegant summer blooms. It’s resilient, low-maintenance, and incredibly versatile—perfect for adding structure and lasting interest to a wide range of garden styles.





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