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Products > Yucca elephantipes 'Variegata'   Yucca elephantipes 'Variegata' - Variegated Giant Yucca     [2nd Image] Habit and Cultural Information Category: Succulent Family: Agavaceae (Agaves) Origin: Guatemala (North America) Evergreen: Yes Flower Color: White Bloomtime: Spring/Summer Synonyms: [Y. gloriosa 'Variegata', Hort. Y. guatemalensis] Parentage: Y. guatemalensis Height: 15-25 feet Width: 10-20 feet Exposure: Full Sun Seaside: Yes Summer Dry: Yes Deer Tolerant: Yes Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs Winter Hardiness: <15° F Yucca elephantipes 'Variegata' (Variegated Giant Yucca) - This is a quick and easy-growing treelike yucca with a trunk, usually multi-stemmed, to 15 feet tall or more. Some specimens can even reach a height of 25 feet. The soft-tipped 12-18 inch long flexible leaves are pale green with broad cream-colored stripes. Large white flowers appear in late spring or summer on 2-3 foot tall flower stalks. It will grow in seaside gardens. Do not plant it near foundations as this yucca is hard to remove once mature. There has long been a discussion on the validity of applying the name Yucca gloriosa to this plant. The true Yucca gloriosa of the southeastern United States is shorter, with blue green leaves that are more rigid and the plant does not get as massive a base. David Ferguson wrote in the VOL.73 of the Cactus & Succulent Journal that nurseries on the west coast have long misidentified Yucca elephantipes as Yucca gloriosa. The name Yucca was given to the genus by Linnaeus, perhaps by mistake, as it is the Latinized derivation of "yuca", the Caribbean name for Cassava (Manihot esculenta) an unrelated plant in the Euphorbia family that is native to the Caribbean area. Interestingly it was also Linnaeus who applied the name Manihot to Yuca.  This description is based on research and observations of this plant as it grows in our nursery, in our nursery garden and in other gardens that we visit. We also incorporate comments received and appreciate getting feedback of any kind from those who have any additional information about this plant, particularly if they disagree with what we have written or if they have additional cultural tips that would aid others in growing Yucca elephantipes 'Variegata'.     [MORE INFO]