Yucca brevifolia (Joshua Tree)

An impressive sight, Yucca brevifolia (Joshua Tree) is a large, slow-growing, upright evergreen tree with a stout trunk, heavy branches and an open, rounded canopy. Rosettes of stiff, narrow, sharply pointed, gray-green leaves, 6-14 in. long (15-35 cm), are clustered near the branch tips. The old dead leaves hang on the plant covering the trunk and stems. In spring, magnificent terminal panicles, up to 20 in. long (50 cm), bear greenish-white flowers that are pollinated by a moth. Long-lived (150 years or more), Joshua Tree is an important source of food and shelter for wildlife. Around 25 species of birds use Joshua trees as nesting sites and small mammals eat the seeds. Carefree and durable, Joshua Tree makes a dramatic landscape statement. A signature species of the Mojave Desert, it is a great specimen plant for xeriscape gardens or desert gardens.

• Grows up to 15-30 ft. tall and wide (4-9 m).
• Easily grown in coarse, dry, well-drained soils in full sun. Drought tolerant.
• Virtually pest and disease free. Deer resistant
• Remove old flowering stems but leave the dried leaves. These absorb moisture and help sustain and insulate the plant especially in cold, desert areas.
• Propagate by seed, rhizomes, stem cuttings, or by digging offsets.
• Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.
• Native to Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah.