Hesperaloe 'Straight Up Red'

Hesperaloe 'Straight Up Red' is a stunning selection of false red yucca, from our friend, the late New Mexico plantsman, David Salman. The 3' tall, stiff, evergreen foliage forms an evergreen clump, topped, starting for us, in early June, with 6' tall spikes with nicely branched terminal flowers of peachy rose. Because of the height, this is an incredibly valuable garden addition for garden designers. Although this was introduced as a selection of Hesperaloe parviflora, we're pretty certain that it's actually a hybrid with Hesperaloe campanulata.

Maintenance:
Hesperaloe parviflora is a maintenance-free, evergreen perennial. Other than removing the old flower stalks and the occasional dead leaf, there is really nothing that needs to be done to keep it attractive and healthy. This is a perfectly friendly relative of Agave and Yucca that lacks spines and marginal teeth.

Old clumps can be divided and replanted. We have not found a time of year that doesn't work well.

Growing Conditions:
Hesperaloe parviflora enjoys full, hot, baking sun for 6+ hours. While they will survive in less light, you will probably never see flowers. Other than bright light, well-drained soils are also very important, since false red yucca detests waterlogged soils. It will tolerate a soil pH from slightly acidic to quite alkaline.

Nomenclature:
We were surprised to find that much of what is sold as Hesperaloe parviflora is actually not correctly named. Some is Hesperaloe chiangii, and quite a bit are actually hybrids.

Natural Impacts:
In the wild, hummingbirds are the sole pollinator of Hesperaloe parviflora. In gardens, however, they are also pollinated by bats, bees, and hawkmoths. The floral display goes on for many months adding color to the garden and supporting pollinators.