Adam's Needle

yuccaAdam's needlehardydrought-tolerantarchitectural

Adam's needle is a robust evergreen plant with sword-shaped leaves growing in a compact rosette. Characteristic curling threads line the leaf edges. In summer an impressive flower stalk rises up to one and a half metres, laden with creamy-white bell-shaped flowers. Surprisingly hardy for a plant with such an exotic appearance.

See in your garden

Characteristics

Sun: Full sun
Water: Low
Height: 60–150 cm
Spread: 60–100 cm
Hardiness zone: 5–10
Family: Asparagaceae
Evergreen: Yes
Flower colors: white
Wildlife value: bees, moths

Bloom period

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Care guide

Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. Once established, virtually no watering is needed. Tolerates heat, drought and poor soil superbly. Hardy to zone 5 without protection. Remove dead leaves at the base for a tidy look.

Pruning tips

Cut the spent flower stalk at the base. Remove withered lower leaves by carefully pulling or cutting them off. No further pruning is needed. Wear gloves — the leaf tips are sharp.

Good companions

Imposing agave plant with blue-green rosette of sharp-pointed leaves

Perennials

Agave americana

Century Plant

The century plant is an imposing rosette-forming succulent with broad, blue-green, sharply pointed leaves reaching up to two metres in length. The plant grows for decades before flowering once with a spectacular, multi-metre tall flower stalk — after which the mother plant dies, leaving behind offsets. As an architectural focal point it fits perfectly in modern and Mediterranean gardens.

Full sunLow

Blooming lavender with purple-blue flowers in summer sunlight

Shrubs

Lavandula angustifolia

English Lavender

Lavender is a beloved herb with aromatic silver-green foliage and purple-blue flower spikes. This evergreen plant blooms profusely from June to August and is remarkably drought-tolerant, attracting butterflies and bees to the garden.

Full sunLow30–60 cm

Blue-grey dome-shaped tuft of Blue Fescue in a sunny border

Ornamental grasses

Festuca glauca

Blue Fescue

Blue Fescue is a compact, evergreen ornamental grass with a striking blue-grey colour that forms dense, dome-shaped tufts. In June and July, beige flower plumes emerge above the foliage. The grass is ideal for dry, sunny borders, rock gardens, and contemporary plantings.

Full sunLow20–30 cm