Scientific: Yucca X schottii (Synonyms: Sarcoyucca schottii, Yucca X brasiliensis, Yucca X macrocarpa, Yucca X puberula)
Common: Schott's yucca, hoary yucca, mountain yucca
Family: Asparagaceae (subfamily Agavoideae)
Origin: Mixed grasslands, oak, juniper and pine woodlands of northwestern Mexico and southern Arizona and New Mexico at elevations from 4,000 to 8,000 feet.
Taxonomic confusion: Many taxonomists regard Yucca X schottii as a natural hybrid between Yucca baccata, Yucca elata, and Yucca madrensis. Unlike other hybrids which are sterile, Schott's yucca is firmly established and does reproduce freely 'in-the-wild'.
Pronounciation: YUK-ka shot-TEE-eyee-LA-eye
Hardiness zones
Sunset 7-24
USDA 6-11
Landscape Use: Xeric, oasis or mesic landscape design themes, strong accent and/or focal point.
Form & Character: Upright eventually becoming somewhat arborescent or tree like, stiff, upright, tough, versitile.
Growth Habit: Evergreen, fibrous, monocot perennial large shrub, moderate growth rate to 10- to 20-feet tall (often shorter), occassionally basally branched.
Foliage/Texture: Narrow, linear blue gray to gray green leaves to 4-feet long, finely serrate with often reddish brown to brown margins, leaves grow in variably loose to densely crowded clumps in a tuft or rosetting appearance; medium texture.
Flowers & Fruits: White flowers sometimes tinged with either green or pink on a striking elongated spike. Fruits are plump and elongated to 3-inches long, green when immature ripening to brown, arranged also on an elongated spike.
Seasonal Color: Flowers in late spring to early summer (which is May in Phoenix).
Temperature: Tolerant
Light: Full sun, but with some protection from the western summer sun.
Soil: Prefers well drained, slightly alkaline soils.
Watering: Apply infrequently water during summer. This yucca will show a strong positive growth response to urban irrigation.
Pruning: Typically none except to remove dead foliage.
Propagation: Difficult and variable by seed.
Disease and Pests: None of note as long as the soil is well drained.
Additional comments: Schott's yucca is stately and visually dominant. With some protection from the western summer sun, it will grow well in Phoenix. It is better suited for full sun culture in mid-elevation cities of Arizona such as Sierra Vista, Prescott, and Payson.
