Driveway Shrubs

Common name:Banana or Blue Yucca, Datil
Botanical name:Yucca baccata

This clump-forming Yucca can also grow a small trunk up to 8' tall. Clumps will typically have 5-20 rosettes, although rare specimens can have as many as 70. Fruit is edible and banana shaped, 5" long and 2" wide. Flower spikes are often partially enclosed in the leaves from March to April. Leaves are stiff, bluish green, 1.5"-2" wide and 2' long. This is one of the toughest plants, with a coarse appearance. It needs full sun and well drained sites.

Common name:Gloriosa or Soft-Tip Yucca, Spanish
Botanical name:Yucca gloriosa

This clumping palm relative will reach 10' to15' tall and has large, green, sword-like leaves with white flowers in spring and summer. Its broad, medium green leaves blend with either tropical or desert theme landscapes.

Soils and Compost:

Maintain a two to four inch layer of mulch on the soil surface to reduce weeds, infiltrate rain water, and reduce compaction.

Water Saving Tip:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.

Integrated Pest Management:

Develop healthy soil for plants that are vigorous and naturally pest-resistant.