Yucca Bright Star - Variegated Yucca

The Yucca recurvifolia Bright Star is a particularly colourful form of the Yucca with recurved leaves, a species very similar to the Yucca gloriosa. This relatively recent variety has a slightly weeping habit, very graceful, its non-prickly leaves are strongly margined with shades ranging from yellow to cream to ivory. Under the effect of cold or intense drought, the plant also takes on pink hues, creating a striking tricolour effect. Its flower, usually in summer, reaches 90cm (35.4in), in the form of a tall spike bearing large creamy white bells. Hardy down to -15°C (5°F), it would be perfect in a rock garden, on a slope, or in a pot on the terrace, in the sun and in well-drained soil.

The Yucca recurvifolia, or curved-leaved Yucca, is a rhizomatous plant of the agave family. Considered by some specialists as a subspecies of the famous Yucca gloriosa, this Yucca is native to the Southeastern United States, specifically the South of Alabama, Georgia, and the northeast of Florida. It is able to withstand very low temperatures (-18°C to -20°C (-0.4°F to -4°F) in dry soil) making it suitable for the climates of Western Europe. Generally lacking a trunk, this botanical species forms several stems that bear rosettes of long and narrow, flexible, slightly drooping leaves with prominent veins, tapering to a sharp point at their tip. Its growth, initially slow, speeds up to reach 15 to 25cm (9.8in) per year.

The Bright Star variety ('Walbristar') is a variegated foliage mutation of the species. The plant develops rosettes about 60cm (23.6in) tall by 60 to 80cm (31.5 in) wide, with leaves broadly margined in yellow to cream on a green-grey-blue background. The flowering stems appear in early summer, sometimes later or earlier depending on the climate, on subjects several years old. The flowers emerge from pretty pink buds. They somewhat resemble tulips in size (reaching 7 cm (2.8 in) in diameter) and shape. They appear on a green and sturdy stem, are cream-white in colour, downward-facing, and arranged in a branched panicle. The rosette dies after flowering, but others are produced abundantly. 'Bright Star' has a short trunk, which eventually becomes visible over time, giving the plant a slightly tree-like habit.

The Bright Star Yucca, bright, colourful, hardy down to -15°C (5°F) is easy to grow and will thrive in any well-drained soil, even if dry and poor, or in arid conditions. It is advisable to keep it away from walkways and young children due to its pointed leaves. This plant is ideal for giving structure to a large rock garden, or for  occupying the centre of an exotic bed. It can be planted alone or combined on a dry slope with Puya caerulea, Agave americana, prickly pear, giant fennel, and relatively hardy columnar cacti (Cleistocactus strausii, Cylindropuntia imbricata) or viper's bugloss from the Canary Islands. It can also be placed in a very large pot on the terrace, right next to a banana tree or Tetrapanax, carefully choosing a sheltered spot in full sun. The flower petals are edible; they can be served as a garnish or prepared as fritters. The floral spike in bud can also be eaten, cooked like asparagus.

In their countries of origin, yucca flowers are pollinated by only a few species of tiny primitive butterflies living in symbiosis with them. Since these species are absent from our European fauna, our yuccas never bear fruit (except for the Yucca aloifolia).