Yuccas, bold architectural plants, are hardy, easy-to-grow shrubs that can be used for dramatic design impact in every garden.

Yuccas are evergreen shrubs or small trees, which are grown for their dramatic sword-like foliage and tall spikes of pendulous, tulip-shaped white flowers which appear from midsummer to late autumn.

The foliage is quite distinctive, forming a large clump. Each deep green leaf is edged with fine, curly white threads, which have a softening effect.

The most commonly grown variety is Yucca filamentosa, which is also sometimes called Adam's Needle. It grows to 2 meters in height and is suitable for a wide range of soils and climate conditions.

Yucca brevifolia is a taller variety with rosettes of greyish-green toothed leaves and bell-shaped flowers which have a slight greenish tinge.

The slow-growing variety, Yucca aloifolia, is shaped more like a small tree and the blooms have a purple hue. There is even a variegated form of Yucca, Marginata, which has unusual green and cream leaves which are very attractive.

Yuccas are adaptable plants that can be grown in a wide range of situations. They enjoy good drainage and are therefore useful background plants for rockery gardens, where their height and shape have a dramatic impact.

As their leaf stems are sharply pointed, Yuccas should always be planted towards the back of garden beds, or against a fence, not near areas where people walk because the tips of the mature plant are very sharp and can cause injury if brushed against.

Yuccas make ideal plants for containers such as large tubs or half wine barrels. These can be located in any sunny position, perhaps in a courtyard or as a feature plant in a paved area.

They can also be planted in a Mediterranean-style garden, against a sun-bleached wall, or as part of a garden bed.

Yuccas look impressive when planted with softer foliage varieties that highlight the impact of the foliage and tall flower spikes. In a mixed bed, with ornamental grasses such as Fountain Grass or Cortaderia 'Silver Comet', Yuccas will stand out, yet be softened by their grassy companions.

Yuccas also look striking when planted with succulents or Cacti, especially the larger varieties such as Agave or the spiky, columnar Silver Torch.

In a mixed bed Yuccas can mingle with other summer flowering varieties, such as Hebe, which has cream or blue flowers, and Phygelius, which has greenish flowers.

To plant a Yucca:

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