I cannot remember when we planted two spiky plants in one of our borders - nor where we acquired them. They have just been there, managing to survive in spite of the shade and the competition.But a week ago I noticed that one of those plants was starting to push out some kind of flowering spike. It had never happened before.
That flowering spike is quite large - around five feet. And so I became curious. What on earth is this plant that dares to create such a display?
I could be wrong and plant experts like Steve Reed or Poppy Patchwork could easily correct me but I think the plant is a yukka filamentosa - sometimes known as Adam's Needle. It is, I believe, native to the south-eastern states of America.
Recently we have been having some very hot weather here in Yorkshire and I wonder if that is what has encouraged the plant to bloom for the first time. Meanwhile the sister plant is looking on with no sign of a similar flowering spike pushing skywards.
A Meteor Shower fell on Stanage Edge, then spread to Greater Sheffield.
ReplyDeleteSheffield gardens were seeded with Flowering Spikes. By an alien intelligence.
The Day of the Triffids. A genre that's been identified as Cosy Catastrophe.
Just the thing to read as the world is burning up and Liz Truss returns to politics.
As Jennifer once asked, memorably : What did you have for Dinner ?
Haggerty had an Omelette aux fines herbes & Plum Tart. A Macon-Chardonnay.
Definitely a Yucca, we have them in Australia too, though ours grow quite a bit larger in our heat. I walk past several which have flower spikes higher than my head.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know the name of this plant, but it has been well established in a many a garden around here. By the way I like your approach to gardening; let nature run its course as much as possible while at the same time your garden provides you with some fruit and veg as well as a safe space for the family to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI know it as a yucca, which do take years to bloom, they are stunning, I don't grow them in my small garden as the grandchildren run around. Hubby has one in his front garden and was pleased to see your blooming.
ReplyDeleteSpiky plants aren't good for people in a garden and never plant Common Rue. Pretty as it maybe it can cause rashes if you touch the milky sap.
ReplyDeleteThe flower is attractive enough. Does the flower have a scent? I think Phyllis is growing some kind of yucca.
ReplyDeleteWe discovered a mullein or verbasvum covered in tiny yellow flowers in my daughter's garden last week. It is over 6 foot high and evidently self-seeded.
ReplyDeleteThe minute I saw the photo of the plant, I thought it was a yucca. People have them in their gardens here in Virginia, and this time of year they will flower like the one in your photo. Maybe the hot weather you've been having has encouraged them to "do their thing."
ReplyDeleteAlways interesting when something new pops up in the graden!
ReplyDeleteA nice bloom.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely a yucca. My plant identifier app says it's Yucca gloriosa, which like the one you found is popularly known as Adam's needle or Spanish dagger. I'm impressed it's survived in your garden all this time. I wouldn't have thought it would be cold-hardy.
ReplyDeleteMy neighbor has 3 of those yucca plants blooming right now in her garden and they are so beautiful to see from my kitchen windows.
ReplyDeleteWhat a surprise! It made you do some homework. I'm always amazed at people like Steve Reed who know the plants by name.
ReplyDeleteYes. I think you do indeed have a yucca and they do grow here.
ReplyDeleteWe have yucca growing wild here.
ReplyDeleteThe Yucca's we have here are really annoying as they drop their long leaves/spikes in cold weather
ReplyDeleteI work with someone who could easily identify it but I'm not that knowledgeable about plants.
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