(Bluestem Yucca, Silver Star Bluestem Yucca)

This is one big beautiful yucca! The tree-like bluestem yucca is a fast-growing tropical evergreen. A tall, multi-trunked plant, it has a coarse, architectural appeal that makes it a standout for western, frost-free gardens. This native of Mexico and Central America is also tough, drought tolerant and easy to grow if given the right growing conditions.

Plants are evergreen and bear dense clusters of coarse, stiff, lance-shaped leaves that whorl around upright stems. The thick brown trunk-like...

(Beaked Yucca)

A spiky urchin-like sphere of bayonet-shaped evergreen leaves tops the shaggy trunk of this dramatic and coveted tree-like yucca. Native to northern Mexico and western Texas, it bears a bristling globe of hundreds of long, narrow, blue-green leaves on a compact, typically head-high trunk. The leaves are twisted, adding further ornamental interest. The trunk is coated with the remains of old leaves, giving it a furry look. Mature plants produce showy spikes of white flowers in spring. The blooms attract...

(Torry's Yucca)

Often described as unkempt, this tall, gangly yucca more than makes up for its dubious looks with a cast iron constitution. This is a border dweller, found in west Texas, southeastern New Mexico and northern Mexico, all of which share an equally mild climate. This makes it more frost tender and thirsty in summer than some of its close kin from further north. Plants will grow in drier areas but need supplemental irrigation in summer provided soils are very well drained.

Plants bloom white touched...

(Schott's Yucca)

A tree-like yucca with a spherical head of bayonet-shaped evergreen leaves atop a short trunk, this mountain-dweller from the Southwest United States and northern Mexico is tailor made for high, dry gardens. Wider and sparser than those of the somewhat similar Yucca rostrata, the blue-green leaves are arrayed in a spiky globe at the apex of the compact brown trunk. The trunk is often covered with the remains of old leaves. Lax spikes of white flowers rise above the leaves in late spring...

(Japanese Zelkova)

Casting dense shade with its spreading, vase-shaped canopy, Japanese zelkova has handsome bark and pleasing dark glossy green foliage that turns bronzy orange or burgundy in autumn. A medium to tall, deciduous tree from eastern Asia, it is often suggested and used as a disease-resistant substitute for the closely related American elm. The small oval leaves are toothed with a pointed tip. The smooth, dull grayish tan bark eventually exfoliates to reveal underlying rusty-orange patches. The inconspicuous...

(Green Vase Zelkova, Japanese Zelkova)

Often suggested and used as a disease-resistant substitute for the closely related American elm, Japanese zelkova is a medium to tall deciduous tree from eastern Asia. The cultivar 'Green Vase' has a relatively narrow vase-shaped canopy, handsome exfoliating bark, and pleasing dark glossy green foliage that turns bronzy orange or burgundy in autumn. The small oval leaves are toothed with a pointed tip. The smooth, dull grayish tan bark eventually exfoliates to reveal underlying rusty-orange patches....

(Japanese Zelkova, Village Green Zelkova)

Often suggested and used as a disease-resistant substitute for the closely related American elm, Japanese zelkova is a medium to tall deciduous tree from eastern Asia. The cultivar 'Village Green' has a rounded canopy, handsome exfoliating bark, and pleasing dark glossy green foliage that turns bronzy orange or burgundy in autumn. The small oval leaves are toothed with a pointed tip. The smooth, dull grayish tan bark eventually exfoliates to reveal underlying rusty-orange patches. The inconspicuous...

(Chinese Date, Jujube)

A small deciduous fruit tree that bears at a young age and flourishes under the toughest conditions, this native of China and Southeast Asia has been cultivated in that region for 4000 years. Upright and oval with drooping branchlets, it usually grows as a multi-stemmed tree unless trained otherwise. Paired spines may be present along the branches and at the base of leaves. The glossy, rich green, oval leaves have three prominent lighter colored veins. Numerous small clusters of tiny, fruitily scented,...

(Jujube, Lang Jujube)

A small deciduous fruit tree that bears at a young age and flourishes under the toughest conditions, this native of China and Southeast Asia has been cultivated in that region for 4000 years. Cultivar 'Lang' produces relatively large, pear-shaped fruits that are best left to dry on the tree. Upright and oval with drooping branchlets, it usually grows as a multi-stemmed tree unless trained otherwise. The glossy, rich green, oval leaves have three prominent lighter colored veins. Numerous small clusters...

(Jujube, Li Jujube)

A small deciduous fruit tree that bears at a young age and flourishes under the toughest conditions, this native of China and Southeast Asia has been cultivated in that region for 4000 years. Cultivar 'Li' produces relatively large round fruits and is partly self-fruitful. Upright and narrow with drooping branchlets, it usually grows as a multi-stemmed tree unless trained otherwise. Paired spines may be present along the branches and at the base of leaves. The glossy, rich green, oval leaves have...