Red yucca
Hesperaloe parviflora
Red yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora) is a shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 2–4 ft tall and 3–4 ft wide, needs low water, and prefers full sun. Z5b-hardy at best. Loses leaves below ~-15°F and recovers slowly. Site against a warm south wall or in a protected microclimate for best winter survival.
low water2–4 ft tall and 3–4 ft wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
Photos
At a glance
- Botanical name
- Hesperaloe parviflora
- Variety / cultivar
- 'Brakelights'
- Type
- Shrub
- Mature size
- 2–4 ft tall and 3–4 ft wide
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- full sun
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- sandy, well drained only
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.5
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- high
- Bloom color
- red, pink
- Bloom time
- late spring, early summer, mid summer, late summer
- Pollinator value
- high
- Good for
- hellstrip, south wall
Planting & establishment
Water weekly first summer; minimal after. Wet feet kill it — avoid heavy clay without drainage.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Red yucca good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes. Red yucca is included in the Front Range Plant Finder as a shrub suited to Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Red yucca get?
- It matures to about 2–4 ft tall and 3–4 ft wide.
- How much water does Red yucca need?
- It needs low water once established.
- Is Red yucca native to Colorado?
- No — it is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
