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Botanical name: Dasylirion wheeleri
This sculptural plant bears narrow, blue-gray and green leaves arranged in dense rosettes; beautiful tall spikes of cream flowers in fall; good for hot, dry sites; great for borders, patios and containers; forms a woody trunk over time.
Other names: Spoon Yucca, Spoon Flower, Common Sotol
| Hardiness zone | 9a |
|---|---|
| Flower color | white |
| Foliage type | evergreen |
| Plant form | round |
| Mature height | 5 feet (15 feet with the flowers) |
| Spread | 5 feet |
| Light requirements | full sun |
| Moisture requirements | dry to average |
| Plant origin | Texas Native |
Desert Spoon features bold spikes of white flowers rising above the foliage in mid summer. It has attractive silvery blue-variegated bluish-green foliage. The serrated narrow leaves are highly ornamental and remain bluish-green throughout the winter. The fruit is not ornamentally significant.
Desert Spoon is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a more or less rounded form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.
This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should not require much pruning, except when necessary, such as to remove dieback. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;
Spiny
Desert Spoon is recommended for the following landscape applications;
Accent, General Garden Use, Container Planting
Desert Spoon will grow to be about 5 feet tall at maturity extending to 15 feet tall with the flowers, with a spread of 5 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front, 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 shrub 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. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is native to parts of our region.
Desert Spoon makes a fine choice for the outdoor landscape, but it is also well-suited for use in outdoor pots and containers. Because of its height, it is often used as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants 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.
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