Nolina bigelovii

Nolina bigelovii, is native to isolated pockets of SW Arizona, SE California and SW Nevada as well as parts of the Mexican state of Baja California. It is a species of Nolina that grows in very dry, very hot conditions, experiencing extremes of drought. It is something of a surprise therefore that Nolina bigelovii survives outdoors in the cold wet conditions of the UK climate. And yet it does... providing a very free-draining substrate is provided. An elevated position on the top or sides of a raised bed that comprises of large rock and deep gravel with very little added organic matter is ideal. The long linear leaves of Nolina bigelovii are very tough and leathery and have little difficulty is coping with frost or snow. Like so many desert plants, it is keeping the roots dry in the winter that represents the main challenge. If you can provide this, together with a relatively sheltered and sunny aspect that faces south, you should be able to grow Nolina bigelovii.

Like most Nolinas, plants should be only planted out in permanent positions once there have reached some size and hardened off progressively over several years.

The foliage has fine marginal filaments with fine serrations towards the base and can be either greenish grey or greyish green.