Dasylirion wheeleri
spoon flower
A tender evergreen tree to 6m, with a dense tuft of narrow, silvery glaucous leaves, the margins with hooked reddish spines; small white flowers are borne in summer on inflorescences to 4m in height
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Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Blue Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White | Blue Green | ||
| Autumn | Blue Green | |||
| Winter | Blue Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Dasylirion are dioecious evergreen shrubs or trees with thick stems bearing terminal rosettes of narrow, spiny-edged leaves; tiny star-shaped flowers are borne in long panicles in summer, on mature plants
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- USA Mexico
How to grow
Cultivation
Under glass grow in a mix of 2 parts each sand and loam with one part each leaf mould and peat substitute in full light and low humidity. Water freely in summer and keep just moist in winter. Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly from spring to autumn
Propagation
Propagate by seed at 21°C in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to scale insects
Diseases
Generally disease-free
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