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Plant Fact Sheet Agavaceae Yucca rostrata, a native to the Chihuahuan Desert, inhabits western Texas and northern Mexico in the states of Chihuahua and Coahuila. Yucca rostrata, or Beaked Yucca, is typically found growing on rocky bajadas, slopes, or ridges that are comprised of limestone gravel. Beaked Yucca is a single-trunked arborescent yucca that reaches heights of 6-15 feet. Mature plants may branch and become multi-headed. Yucca rostrata is one of the most attractive and effective accent plants available to the southwest gardener and can be planted either as an individual specimen or in a mass planting. To establish plants you should water them one or two times a month in the winter, depending on the temperature and how fast the soil drains and at least once a week in the summer. In the winter established plants will only need water once a month and will need a heavy weekly soaking during the summer. Beaked Yucca flowers are white and form flower stalks that rise above the plant. Plants will do best in a full sun location. While Y.rostrata can easily be mixed into the Southwest landscaping palette, you can also create a more representational and natural look by utilizing other natives (see below) of the Chihuahuan Desert. If Yucca rostrata is unavailable, Yucca rigida or Blue Yucca makes a great alternative. In fact the two plants are often mistaken for one another however Blue Yucca has thicker but fewer leaves which are more rigid and also bluer than Beaked Yucca. Yucca elata also rivals Beaked Yucca in performance and beauty, and for use as an accent plant. Companion Plants for Yucca rostrata: Fouquieria splendens (Octillo) |
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Beaked
Yucca
Beaked
Yucca is the feature plant in the Chihuahua Desert Garden and has been
planted in a large grouping at the front of the garden near the sidewalk.
These impressive yuccas have done extremely well and add an elegant architectural
element in the garden that has been featured on the cover of Agaves,
Yuccas, and Related Plants by Gary and Mary Irish. The success of
the Beaked Yuccas can be attributed to their inherent tolerance of the
heat but also to the supplemental irrigation these plants receive. While
we cannot replicate the approximate 100 days of freezing Yucca rostrata
would experience in their natural habitat, we can imitate the 8-12 inches
of summer rain they receive. Due to the fact that up to 90% of all rain
occurs during the months of July to October in the Chihuahua Desert, the
Garden receives a weekly deep soaking for the yuccas during our summer
months. 
