Marianne's Response

Suzbo’s Question

Hi, I dug out a huge bunch of old yucca in a small planting space last fall. I went really deep, although as I worked the soil to plant this spring, I still found roots, rhyzomes? some of which were starting to grow again. I have heard yucca is hard to get rid of. the few I transplated didn’t make it through our wet winter.
To the point, what can I plant that looks similar to yucca, but isn’t as invasive?
Thanks
Suzette B

Posted by Suzbo on May 19, 2017

Marianne's Response

First good job at trying to dig out all those yucca roots - it is hard to get each bit of root but if root sprouts later this summer just dig down and remove it as well. If you like the spiky look of yucca try planting the area with phormiums or cordyline. Neither are as invasive as yucca and come in different foliage colors. The yellow variegated yucca is not as fast growing as the green yucca and growing yucca plants in containers can keep it under control. For a larger area I like Cordyline Festival Grass because the tall spiky leaves are a deep red color and it has a looser more relaxed growth habit. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti