Yucca filamentosa 'Excalibur'

Yucca filamentosa ‘Excalibur’: Blue-Green Blades with Clean White Summer Bells

Yucca filamentosa ‘Excalibur’ is a crisp, architectural accent that brings year-round structure to sunny plantings. Blue-green, sword-like leaves form a uniform, rounded clump, with curly white filaments along the edges adding a subtle, rugged detail up close. In summer, short flower stalks rise above the foliage carrying nodding, bell-shaped white blooms that soften the plant’s spiky silhouette. With a moderate growth rate and a naturally tidy form, it’s a dependable choice for modern borders and low-fuss landscapes.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 45–60 cm
• Spread: 90–105 cm
• Flower Colour: White
• Flowering Period: Summer
• Foliage: Blue-green, sword-like foliage with curly white filaments along the edges; evergreen
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to part shade
• Soil Requirements: Well-drained soil

Uses and Benefits: ‘Excalibur’ is ideal for gravel gardens, hot sunny borders, and foundation plantings where strong form matters. Use it as a focal point to anchor a bed, or repeat it for a clean rhythm of sculptural foliage along a walkway. The blue-green colour cools down bright planting palettes, while the summer flowers add a soft, luminous moment without making the plant feel fussy. Once established, it handles dry conditions with confidence, making it a strong choice for lower-maintenance designs.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun for the best shape and flowering, though it will tolerate part shade. Prioritize drainage, especially in heavier soils, and avoid sites that stay wet over winter. Water regularly during the first growing season, then water only during prolonged drought once established. Remove spent flower stalks after blooming, and trim away winter-worn leaves in spring to refresh the clump and keep the plant looking sharp.

History: Often called Adam’s Needle, Yucca filamentosa is known for its tough, evergreen foliage and the distinctive thread-like filaments that curl from leaf edges. ‘Excalibur’ was selected for its particularly uniform, rounded clump habit and its clean blue-green foliage, bringing a more polished, landscape-ready look to a classic, sun-loving plant.

Final Thoughts: For a plant that stays crisp through the seasons and adds a strong, modern outline to sunny beds, ‘Excalibur’ delivers reliable structure, subtle texture, and a bright summer bloom finish.