Shrubs - Yucca
Back to Shrubs

  Attached is a photo of a plant I have growing in my front yard. There was another one in a small flower bed in front of my porch. I dug it up earlier this spring and tried to remove all the roots so that I could plant an azalea bush. The roots are large and tuberous and I was unable to remove them all. Now there are shoots coming up all over the area and my azalea seems to be suffering because of them. What is this plant and how do I get rid of it once and for all?

The plant in question is a yucca plant. These plants are quite tenacious, and any of the root left in the ground can result in new plants. If you can spot spray, cut the new sprouts back by one half and spray what is left with Round-up or similar glyphosate product. This should kill the plant back into the ground. You may still have some errant plants emerge, but repeat the process. Use a shield between the spray and your desirable ornamentals, so that you don't damage them.

  Why can I not get yucca to bloom for me? Maybe 18 years ago, we set out two plants. I think they bloomed once. After that, they died, but one of the roots did sprout. A year later I got one bloom, but since then, they just occupy space. They are planted in the sun where grass grows on the edge of our drive, on a slope to our house. About ten years ago, I bought four plants and planted them on the edge of our yard on the north side. There is a wooded vacant lot next to them. They did wonderful. Then carpenter ants came and killed the flowers. Since then, no blooms. Help!! (Cherokee Village)

  For those of you who are long time readers, you’ll know I am not overly fond of yuccas. They seem to thrive in the hottest, driest soils. Too much shade, moisture or fertility can give you all growth and no blooms. They should not die following bloom, so I would check the drainage and moisture levels. Make sure they have plenty of sunlight, keep them on the dry side, and avoid nitrogen fertilizer around them. Try using some super phosphate now and again in the spring. Hopefully, you’ll get some blooms. If not, there are many other wonderful blooming plants that perform well in the state.

Back to Shrubs