Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Yucca filamentosa 'Color Guard'
Color Guard Adam's Needle
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Height
- 2 to 3 feet
- Width
- 2 to 3 feet
- Flower color
- White
- Foliage color
- Yellow and green variegated leaves with a distinct sharp contrast of light and dark tones
- Bloom time
- Late spring to summer
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Drought-tolerant
- Maintenance
- Low, occasional pruning of dead foliage
- Growing zone
- USDA Zones 5 to 10
- Wildlife
- Attracts pollinators, including bees and hummingbirds
About this plant
Yucca filamentosa 'Color Guard' is an evergreen perennial known for its bold, variegated leaves. The variegation features vivid yellowish or creamy stripes down the center of the leaves, surrounded by dark green edges, giving it a bright, contrasting appearance. In late spring to early summer, it produces tall, upright spikes of white bell-shaped flowers that contrast beautifully against the plant's colorful leaves.
Native to the southeastern United States, Yucca filamentosa thrives in a range of environments and has become a popular ornamental plant for gardens and landscapes. 'Color Guard' is a cultivated variety that was selected for its unique leaf coloration and compact size, making it ideal for borders, xeriscaping, and as a focal point in garden designs.
Companion plants
Phlox · Pittosporum · Hardy mums · Feather reed grass · Cranesbill · Butterfly bush
Design tip
Capitalize on ‘Color Guard’s’ strong geometry by repeating its spiky rosettes among lower, rounded plant forms. The yellow-centered leaves create year-round contrast and a clear visual rhythm, while tall white flower spikes temporarily shift the composition upward in early summer.
