Yucca thompsoniana

Yucca thompsoniana, Thompson Yucca, is found most abundantly in Coahuila and Chihuahua states in Mexico but also grows north of the border in Texas, mostly in Brewster County but also in Terrell, Pecos and Val Verde counties with some populations in Crockett county. It is a handsome medium-sized arborescent Yucca, strongly resembling Yucca rostrata. One of its common names, Beaked Yucca, it shares with Yucca rostrata. One of the most obvious differences in smaller, non-flowering specimens is that Yucca thompsoniana has a noticably rougher leaf surface to the touch than Yucca rostrata which has a smooth surface.

Yucca thompsoniana is another Yucca species that has been ruthlessly exploited on an industrial scale. Thousands of mature plants have been dug up from the naturally-occuring populations in the wild and sold throughout the American southwest with others exported to Europe, mainly Germany and the Netherlands, from where they are resold to British exotic plant nurseries. These poorly-rooted and traumatised specimens are then sold on to 'enthusiasts' and landscapers who should know better and be somewhat more curious and particular about the origins of their plants. This is a practice that holds no honour, either for the nurseries involved or for those who buy them. It is unsustainable commercial exploitation of a slow-growing natural resource at its worst. It is difficult to see how buyers of these large imported specimens can feel any pride when they look at their 'instant gardens'. These large plants have taken between fifty and hundred years to reach a mature size. They belong in the desert.

These are well-rooted British-grown Yucca thompsoniana, raised from seed. Once planted on into a permanent position they will grow rapidly with minimum transplant shock.

These plants are in 1.5L pots. They are larger than the current photo here suggests. We have larger plants in 7.5 Litre pots here.