Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Excalibur Yucca: Blue-Gray Swords to Frame a Lavender Bed
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Excalibur yucca forms a neat, symmetrical clump of rigid, sword-shaped leaves in cool blue-green to powdery gray-green. The leaf edges carry an unusually large number of fine, curling white threads that catch the light. It is more uniform and a bit smaller than the wild species, so it fits a border or a large container.
In early to midsummer, a thick stalk rises 4 to 5 feet and opens into a spire of nodding white bells. For a lavender planting, it is a structural partner that wants exactly what lavender wants: hot sun and lean, sharp-draining soil.
Excalibur at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Yucca filamentosa 'Excalibur' |
| Foliage | Blue-green to gray-green swords edged with curly white threads |
| Flowers | White nodding bells on stalks 4 to 5 feet tall |
| Bloom | Starts late June, peaks mid-July |
| Size | Foliage 18 to 24 inches tall, 36 to 42 inches wide |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 4 to 10 |
| Light | Full sun to part shade |
| Deer and rabbits | Resistant |
Why it works with lavender
Lavender is soft and billowy; Excalibur is crisp and architectural. Set a yucca at the end of a lavender row, at a bed corner or as the center of a circle of lavender, and the bed suddenly has a focal point. The blue-gray leaves also echo lavender's silver foliage, so the two look related rather than random.
Their needs line up almost perfectly. Both handle heat, drought, poor soil and even salt, and both fail in wet, heavy ground. Excalibur is evergreen, too, so it holds the bed's shape all winter when lavender is a gray mound under snow. Plan the spacing in the Companion Plant Planner; allow for its 3-foot-plus width.
Planting and care
- Site: full sun gives the best color and flowering. Avoid low spots where water sits in winter.
- Soil: any well-drained soil, including sand and gravel.
- Water: only while it establishes. After that it is extremely drought tolerant.
- After bloom: cut the stalk at the base. The flowering rosette slowly declines and is replaced by offsets around it.
- Spring: remove only damaged leaves.
- Handling: the leaves are stiff and pointed, so wear gloves and keep it back from busy paths.
Planting a bare root yucca
Excalibur is offered as a bare root plant. Set the crown at soil level in a wide hole, spread the roots, backfill with the native soil and water once well. Skip the compost; yucca prefers lean ground. See the product page for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
Is the flower fragrant?
Lightly. The white bells have a mild, sweet scent that is most noticeable in the evening.
Will Excalibur survive a Michigan winter?
Yes. It is rated for zones 4 to 10 and stays evergreen in Michigan, provided the soil drains well.
Can I grow it in a pot?
Yes. Its compact size suits a large container with a fast-draining mix.
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