74 
GARDENING IN THE SOUTHWEST 
TRADESCANTIA (virginiana) 
Spider Wort 
Named for Tradescant, a gardener to 
Charles I of England. The leaves are 
flat, long and lancelinear. The purplish- 
blue flowers in umbeled clusters, two 
or three opening each day, are freely 
produced over a long period. This 
specie likes partial shade and a rich, 
loose soil. 
TRADESCANTIA (humilis) 
This plant is nearly stemless, with 
rather short leaves, narrow and ribbed, 
sometimes folded and grasslike. The 
flower cluster comes from two leaf¬ 
like bracts at the end of a flower stalk. 
The petals are a purplish-blue. The 
fragrance, the purple stamens and gold¬ 
en anthers, add to the charm of this 
perennial, which grows well in good 
loamy soil. However, it is to be found, 
in its native haunts, growing under dif¬ 
ferent soil conditions. 
YUCCA (treculeana) Spanish Dagger 
This Yucca has a large, stout trunk, 
sometimes attaining a height of eight 
feet. It generally branches and each 
branch has a head of dark green, sword¬ 
like leaves. From the center of this 
comes the stalk bearing creamy-white 
blossoms. It is picturesque and useful 
where the Spanish atmosphere is de¬ 
sired. Miss Schulz says the Mexicans 
gather these leaves while green, soften 
them over a flame and strip off the 
edges. These are then tied together and 
dried to be used to tie cornstalks, oat 
bundles, etc. They also gather the 
blossoms and cook them as we would 
mustard greens. They grow even in 
poor soil. 
HESPERALOE (parvi flora) Red Yucca 
Ramsey says: "This member of the 
Yucca family is one of the rarest plants 
in existence and native of a limited 
area in West Texas and Mexico.” Its 
long gracefully recurving, narrow 
leaves grow somewhat irregularly, but 
form an attractive large clump. From 
this comes one or more (according to 
age of plant) very long, curving stalks 
or scapes, bearing most of the summer 
coral-red flowers. Like all Yuccas it 
likes sun and not too much water and 
thrives with little care. For grouping 
or in the shrub border it is to be highly 
recommended. 
DASYLIRION (texanum) 
Saw Yucca, "Sotol” 
This desert plant has the most attrac¬ 
tive foliage of any in this group. The 
inch-wide dark green leaves are toothed 
and spiny, about two feet long, rather 
rigid, standing in every direction, mak¬ 
ing a very symmetrical clump. From 
the center of this the very tall flower 
stalk rises. But it is not for this the 
plant is most prized. Its leaves retain 
their fine color and symmetry all 
through the year and, given full sun¬ 
shine and any good soil, it will thrive. 
YUCCA (filamentosa) Adam’s Needle 
This is probably the most popular 
Yucca and is sold in the East extensive¬ 
ly. Somewhat broader than the others, 
the sword-like leaves are not so rigid. 
The main beauty of the plant is the 
wonderful flower stalk. Rising from the 
leaf clump to a height of four to six 
feet, it branches from the upper half. 
The stem and branches are laden with 
exquisite gracefully drooping, bell¬ 
shaped creamy-white flowers. This 
grows well in any good garden soil, re¬ 
quiring little attention. The clump is 
not as attractive in the winter as Dasy- 
lirion. 
Anna Hearne Newbury. 
