COLD HARDY PLANTS
Growers and Breeders of Unusual Cold Hardy Plants
 

Yucca faxoniana x elata? hybrid 
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 early Nov. through Feb.
Temperature: refer to 2000-2001 winter on this chart
Findings: all the plants died except two (as of April 15, 2001).  2 of 8 pulled out of the ground when tugged on.  This would suggest death from rot.  One of the six plants which didn't pull had no damage at all, quite amazing.  Four of the six plants which didn't pull were 100% burnt.  The other one had minor leaf burn on April 4, 2001, but has major burn as of April 15, 2001.
yucca_faxoniana.jpg (82393 bytes) September 4, 2000 - Here are two seedlings which were started in May 2000.
yucca_faxoniana_2.jpg (44223 bytes) February 4, 2001 - This plant is located in the cold microclimate area.  The plants appear to be fine so far.  They were snow covered from Dec. 30 through Jan. 31 and from Feb. 5 through Feb. 14 and more in late Feb and March.  Our low has been 5F so far without snow cover.
yucca_faxoniana_3.jpg (102027 bytes) April 4, 2001 - This is the plant which received no damage at all (on the right).  As you can see, the others were 100% burnt or pulled due to rot.  The low temperature without snow cover has been 4F.  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).
yucca_faxoniana_4_aug1401.jpg (195280 bytes) August 14, 2001 - here's the status of the plant as of August 14, 2001.  The faxoniana is in the center of the photo, the Yucca on the right side is a Yucca glauca from Colorado Springs, Co.  The faxoniana is doing very well. The leaves are like no other Yucca we have tested.  We now believe this plant to be a natural hybrid with Yucca elata since the leaves have characteristics of the glauca family and the only glauca family Yucca in the faxoniana's native range is Yucca elata.  Well only time will tell.  Leaves are about 3/8" wide at the widest point and leaves are about 20" long.
yucca faxonianaxelata glauca compare 2002 sept28 r.jpg (23199 bytes) September 28, 2002 - here is one of the leaves from the faxoniana x elata? hybrid (left) vs. a typical Yucca glauca (right).  Notice how the width of the fax hybrid is about 1.5 to 2 times as wide.
yucca faxonianaxelata glauca compare2 2002 sept28 r.jpg (26926 bytes) September 28, 2002 - here is one of the leaves from the faxoniana x elata? hybrid (bottom) vs. a typical Yucca glauca (top).  Notice how the thickness of the fax hybrid is about 1.5 to 2 times as thick.
yucca_faxoniana_snow_2002_nov27r.jpg (60306 bytes) November 27, 2002 -  Here's a real faxoniana in a snow fall.
yucca_faxoniana_flowerbud_2003_mar16r.jpg (36853 bytes) March 16, 2003 -  Here's the flower bud emerging in the large faxoniana.  This plant was not outside all winter.  It was taken in on November 27.



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