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| Category: Succulent |
| Family: Nolinaceae (~Agavaceae) |
| Origin: Mexico (North America) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: White |
| Bloomtime: Spring |
| Synonyms: [Nolina nelsoni, Hort.] |
| Height: 6-10 feet |
| Width: 3-4 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Deer Tolerant: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): No Irrigation required |
| Winter Hardiness: < 0 °F |
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Nolina nelsonii (Blue Nolina) - A large slow growing evergreen succulent tree-like shrub to 6-10 feet tall or more but usually seen from 4 to 8 feet tall. One or more stems bear dense rosettes with many narrow moderately-rigid but not sharp, pointed, 1 inch wide by 3 foot long leaves that are a very attractive silvery blue-green color and have finely-toothed margins. Mature plants produce a 4 foot tall stalk in spring bearing thousands of small lightly-fragrant white flowers after which the flowering rosette dies and is replaced from below. Nolina are dioecious with male and female flowers on separate plants and this and the small flowers distinguish it from the similar looking genus, Yucca. Plant in full sun to light shade in a well-drained soil. Irrigate infrequently if at all. Hardy below 0 F. This plant makes a stunning accent in the garden or in a container and while its slightly serrated leaf margins make it resistant to deer predation, it is not so wicked to be dangerous to the gardener. This species from the Mexican state of Tamaulipas is considered to be closely related to the California species Nolina parryi, that typically is smaller with pale green leaves. It is sometimes called Nelson's Beargrass or Nelson's Blue Beargrass because this common name is often attached to the smaller non-arborescent species of Nolina. The genus was named by Andre Michaux (1746-1802), a French botanist sent to North America by King Louis XVI. His name honors Abbé Pierre Charles (P.C.) Nolin, a French agriculturist and horticultural author. This species was first collected in 1898 by the naturalist Edward W. Nelson (1855-1934) at an elevation in the mountains near Miquihuana between 7,000-9,000 feet in the state of Tamaulipas, Mexico. It was described in 1906 by famed American botanist Joseph Nelson Rose (1862-1928), who with Nathaniel Lord Britton published the four volume tome "The Cactaceae".
This description is based on our research and observations made of this plant as it grows in our nursery, in the nursery garden and in other gardens that we have visited. We also try to incorporate comments received from others and appreciate getting feedback of any kind from those who have 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 Nolina nelsonii.
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