COLD HARDY PLANTS
Growers and Breeders of Unusual Cold Hardy Plants
 

Yucca elata (south east of Sonoita, AZ  4,800ft)
Quantity of plants tested: 8
Size of plant tested: 1st year seedlings which had leaves to 10" by November 2000.
Soil texture: loam, a little sand was incorporated in the top 3" of the loam.
When planted: the seedling were planted in the ground in June 2000.
Winter protection: None.
Microclimate: Planted in a cold microclimate.  No sun from mid Nov. early Feb. 
Temperature: refer to 2000-2001 winter on this chart
Findings: all the plants but one were totally burnt to ground level.  The one which was not killed to the ground was about 10% burnt.
yucca_elata.jpg (107277 bytes) September 4, 2000 - Here are two seedlings which were started in May 2000.
yucca_elata_2.jpg (51201 bytes) February 4, 2001 - The low temperature without snow cover has been 5F.  We had approximately 50"+ of snow this year including a late 5-6" snow storm during the last week of March.  The first 7 days of March had high temperatures 32F or lower (record).  The seedlings were snow covered from Dec. 31 through Jan. 31 and from Feb. 5 through Feb. 14 and several other snow storms.
yucca_elata_3.jpg (89816 bytes) April 4, 2001 - here are the plants.  By late April seven of the eight plants were killed to the ground, the one survivor was about 10% burnt.
yucca_elata_4_aug1401.jpg (201299 bytes) August 14, 2001 - here is a photo of the one elata which was only 10% burnt after the 00-01 winter.  The other 7 elatas did return from the roots but are much smaller (look behind the large one).
yucca_elata_2001_oct01.jpg (100642 bytes) October 1, 2001 - here is the same plant a few months late.  As you can see, it really grew well since the August 14th photo.  The biggest one measures 18" tall.
yucca elata 2002 oct22.jpg (75469 bytes) October 22, 2002 - here is the same bigger plant one year later.  It is the most robust form from all 3 Yucca elata ecotypes.  It measures 26.5" tall now.
yucca_elata_secondbest_2003_jun3r.jpg (73233 bytes) June 3, 2003 - this photo shows the 2nd best elata (the elata with least amount of burn from winter).  Most of the other's died or were well over 50% burnt.  Many were 100% toasted.
yucca_elata_best_2003_apr16r.jpg (74244 bytes) June 3, 2003 - this photo shows the best performer.  It received no burn from the past winter and was located in the same spot as the others.   It's a keeper!
yucca_elata_valencia_root_2003_may11r.jpg (36096 bytes) May 11, 2003 - this photo shows the root from a 3 year old elata.  Notice the large single stemmed 'tap root' or underground stem.  This Yucca was grow from seed from Valencia County, New Mexico.
yucca_elata_valencia_root_2003_sept16r.jpg (74806 bytes) September 16, 2003 - this photo shows the same root after we dug it up.  We planted the root horizontal under about 2" of mulch during the summer to see how new shoots will form.
yucca_elata_2003_nov29r.jpg (71604 bytes) November 29, 2003 - this photo shows the two best performing elatas dug up (we are moving to Mass.).
yucca_elata_roots_2003_nov29r.jpg (74104 bytes) November 29, 2003 - this photo shows the two best performing elatas dug up (we are moving to Mass.).  This is a close up of the roots.



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