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© Diana-Terry Hibbitts, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC) · iNaturalist
Key Features
Attracts PollinatorsAttracts HummingbirdsDeer ResistantDrought TolerantContainer Friendly
Native to North America
Maintenancevery low
Overview
Hesperaloe parviflora is red yucca (hummingbird yucca), growing 36-60 inches (90-150 cm) tall (including flower stalks) and 36-48 inches (90-120 cm) wide. Coral-pink to salmon tubular flowers 1 inch (2.5 cm) on arching flower stalks 36-60 inches (90-150 cm) rising above the foliage, blooming from late spring through fall — a 4-5 month bloom period spanning much of the growing season. Not a true yucca — Hesperaloe is a separate genus in the family Asparagaceae, though the common name persists. Blue-green to gray-green narrow arching leaves 24-36 inches (60-90 cm) with curling white fibers along the margins — the white margin fibers are a genus trait. Native to the Chihuahuan Desert of Texas and northeastern Mexico. Extremely drought-tolerant — adapted to 8-12 inches (200-300 mm) of annual rainfall. Adapts to alkaline soils (pH to 8.5) — suited to the calcareous soils of the southwestern United States. Zone 5 hardy (-20°F / -29°C) — cold-hardy for a xeric plant with a southwestern desert appearance. Hummingbird-visited — the tubular coral-pink flowers match hummingbird feeding mechanics. Deer-resistant. Full sun (8+ hours). Root rot in wet clay soils — requires well-draining sandy or gravelly soil. No serious pest or disease problems. Non-toxic. Growth rate is slow. Containers of 5+ gallons (20+ liters). Zones 5-10.
Native Range
Native to the Chihuahuan Desert of Texas and northeastern Mexico, growing on limestone slopes and desert grasslands.Suggested Uses
Grown in xeric borders, rock gardens, and median strips in zones 5-10. Full sun. The 4-5 month bloom period and the extreme drought tolerance suit low-water landscapes. Adapted to alkaline soils. Non-toxic. Deer-resistant. Hummingbird-visited. Native.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 5'
Width/Spread3' - 4'
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Late spring through fall (May-October), lasting 4-5 months. Coral-pink tubular flowers on arching stalks. A long bloom period for a xeric perennial. Hummingbird-visited.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Coral-pink to salmon (species); yellow in 'Yellow' formFoliage Description
Blue-green to gray-green, narrow, arching, with curling white fibers on marginsGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 8-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Full sun (8+ hours). Extremely drought-tolerant. Adapts to alkaline soils (pH to 8.5). Root rot in wet clay — requires well-draining soil. Zone 5 hardy (-20°F / -29°C). No serious pests or diseases. Non-toxic. Deer-resistant. Hummingbird-visited. Zones 5-10.Pruning
Spent flower stalks are removed at the base after blooming ends. Dead or browned outer leaves are removed in early spring. The evergreen clump is self-maintaining. Clumps are divided every 5-7 years if the center becomes congested.Pruning Schedule
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F
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spring
Maintenance Level
very lowContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons