Southwestern Plants: An Old Favorite in New Colors…

Do you like red yucca (Hesperaloe parvifolia)?

Landscapes throughout the desert southwest come alive in spring and early summer as the coral-colored blooms of red yucca burst forth.

There are a few reasons that this succulent is a popular plant.

For one, its grass-like foliage add texture to the garden, even when not in flower.

Second, it needs little maintenance – simply prune off the flowers when they fade.

The flowers are quite beautiful.

While the most common flower color for this fuss-free plant is coral, there are two other colors that I would like to introduce you to.  

While not a new color, there is a yellow variety of “Hesperaloe parviflora” available.

It is the same as regular red yucca, except for the color.

Imagine the creamy yellow flowers against a dark-painted wall such as brown, green or purple?

Gorgeous!

Here is a color of “Hesperaloe parviflora” that is relatively new…  

This is a new variety of red yucca called ‘Brakelights’.  Its flowers are a darker red than the normal coral flowers.

I am always interested in different colored varieties of my favorite plants.  It is easy to add interest to your garden when people see a different color than they expect.

What color of “Hesperaloe parviflora” is your favorite?

Shared Love for Gardening….

Noelle Johnson, aka, 'AZ Plant Lady' is a author, horticulturist, and landscape consultant who helps people learn how to create, grow, and maintain beautiful desert gardens that thrive in a hot, dry climate. She does this through her consulting services, her online class Desert Gardening 101, and her monthly membership club, Through the Garden Gate. As she likes to tell desert-dwellers, "Gardening in the desert isn't hard, but it is different."