I can’t figure out what compels landscape crews to do this, as this plant looks quite nice in … Dasylirion is a small genus consisting of 18 different semi-succulent species of plants. Dasylirion acrotrichum (green sotol) is a 'green-leaf' species of sotol which gives a slightly different accent effect. Dasylirion wheeleri grow and care – herbaceous succulent of the genus Dasylirion also known as Desert spoon, Dasylirion wheeleri perennial evergreen used as ornamental drought tolerant plant, can grow in desert, mediterranean or subtropics climate and growing in hardiness zone 8-12.. Dasylirion wheeleri leaves. A boldly architectural plant for big drama in pots or in the ground, Dasylirion wheeleri (desert spoon or sotol) forms a dense, symmetrical rosette of long, narrow, silvery blue-green, somewhat twisted leaves with aggressively hooked teeth along the margins and attractively frayed straw-colored tips. A. For a more contemporary look, you can plant it in staggered rows which will make the plant look great when it is flowering, due to the rosette color. Mature plants are 2-3 feet all around, forming a flower spike up to 14 feet. Plant in full sun. Q. Dasylirions are short perennial shrubs with thick unbranched stems crowned with dense rosettes of leaves with flowers on tall, thin spikes. This plant has no children Legal Status. It comes under the family Asparagaceae. Since this plant cannot tolerate very cold winters, people often like to grow them in containers. The plants leaves are long almost sword like in appearance and able to reach around 90 cm (36″). They will produce flowers once every three to five years. 3-5 ft. tall x 4-6 ft. wide. Dasylirion wheeleri . It is immediately recognizable by its pale blue, usually somewhat twisted, flat, heavily armed, very stiff and narrow 3'-4' leaves that end in a brownish tassel. A little more about me. Even though this plant looks ferocious upon first sight, you can tame it and use it to add an elegant effect to your gardens. Home » Dasylirion Wheeleri Care: Growing Common Sotol. In this article, we will be giving you a complete roundup of everything you need to know to grow and care for this attractive evergreen succulent. As the plant matures you can expect it to reach up to around 1.8 m (6ft). This plant is drought-tolerant and prefers dry conditions so it has little watering needs. The common sotol is a striking and versatile plant that can uplift xeriscape landscapes and gardens. They prefer higher temperatures but will show some heat stress above 100°F. Flowering occurs only every few years with tiny pale brownish greenish male or female flowers (this is a dioecious plant bearing flowers of one sex or the other) on stout spikes 10 to 15 feet tall from the center of the leaf rosette in early summer. Being a slow grower, the plant does not require pruning as such. Dasylirion wheeleri S. Watson – common sotol Subordinate Taxa. The common sotol's leaves are rigid, and end with fiber tufts. Therefore, it’s best to grow the common sotol shrub in full sun. This article contains incorrect information, This article is missing information that I need. The specific epithet honors Lieutenant George M. Wheeler who lead a geographical and geological survey of the Western US. Dasylirion wheeleri (Spoon Yucca) - An evergreen long lived plant with long, gray strap-shaped serrated leaves on a stout short trunk that can rise 4 to 6 feet and the spread can be about the same. Agavaceae. The Desert Spoon has a thick, short trunk. Its attractive evergreen succulent forms a large rosette of toothed blue-green leaves that beautifies the landscape year-round. Dasylirion wheeleri is a beautiful yucca-like plant with narrow silver gray-green leaves arranged in a hemispherical form. Here is more about our approach. Common sotol or spoon are slow-growing, durable, carefree and drought-tolerant plants that are native to arid lands and have a tall stem. Hi, I'm Kevin. There is an inward curvature at the leaf bases giving them their common name, desert spoon. Why are my Dasylirion wheeleri leaves turning yellow? If you have them growing inside containers, move them inside during very cold spells. Characteristics: Dasylirion wheeleri is an evergreen accent plant. Prune out dried, yellow or senescent lower leaves any time of the year. Blades are approximately 2 - 3.5 feet long. The 3 foot long narrow leaves are blue-gray color with sharp serrated margins and a spoon shaped base that gives the plant one of its common name. A. Different in appearance from traditional evergreen shrubs, it fulfills the same purpose in native and xeric landscapes. The leaves are a cool, grey colour with spiky, dry, caramel-brown split ends. Dasylirion wheeleri (Desert Spoon) is a very ornamental evergreen succulent boasting a perfectly symmetrical rosette packed with hundreds of long, narrow, silvery blue-green leaves tipped with white fibers. This species is native to Arizona and northern Mexico. It’s native to the arid lands of northern Mexico and the southwestern United States. Leaves are effectively armed with tiny little toothed barbs along the leaf margin. The rosette sits on a stout short trunk. The leaves can reach 5 ft. in length (150 cm) and are adorned with golden spines along their margins. Creamy white flowers in May and June on a spike that can grow to 12 ft. and looks wonderful all season. It is called the Desert Spoon since its leaves are flat and slightly cupped, holding water at its spoon shaped base where it attaches to … It grows in limestone or granite hillsides in the Trans-Pecos and adjacent Mexico, north to New Mexico and Arizona. The plant does not suffer from any particular disease. Desert spoon, common sotol or the sotol plant (Dasylirion wheeleri) is a long-lived native of the Chiahuahuan Desert of northern Mexico. Extremely heat tolerant. During winters you can reduce the frequency of watering. About This Plant. Common sotol likes porous soils such as garden loam soil, sandy soil, etc. The leaves are 0.8 to 1.6 inches (2-4 cm) wide at the base and have prickles on the margins [ 24 ]. Dasylirion wheeleri is an evergreen, long-lived plant with long, gray, strap-shaped, serrated leaves on a stout, short trunk that can rise up to 6 feet (1.8 m) and the spread can be about the same. Q. This usually occurs due to root rot as these plants are quite sensitive to moisture and humidity. Dasylirion is a genus of North American plants in the asparagus family, all native to Mexico, with the ranges of three species also extending into the south-western United States. Once the plant is mature, it blooms with a pole-like flower stalk. However, growing it from seeds is quite a time-consuming process as germination and establishment are slow. Full sun; evergreen, with long, strappy blue-gray leaves. Its unique, long sculptural leaves make the plant perfect for focal point specimen plantings and large containers. The spiky gray leaves of common sotol (Dasylirion wheeleri) have long been used by people throughout the U.S. Southwest for texture and color contrast in the garden. Its leaves are long, flattened, and often blue-green with reddish-brown spines along the margins which point in the direction of the leaf tip. Description: The desert spoon (Dasylirion wheeleri) is a moderate to slow-growing mounding evergreen shrub.The grass-like succulent leaves radiate from the centre of the plant's apex in all directions. The leaves of Dasylirion longissimum look like giant needles, with a length of up to 6½ feet (2 m), but they are actually square (or at least 4-sided) in cross-section. The preferable pH range for the soil is 6-7. The leaves are armed with small golden marginal spines which are pretty when lighted from behind. This species of Dasylirion is a little more commonly grown in southern California (U.S.) as specimen plants or additions to xeriscapes. This evergreen succulent shows off its large rosette of serrated blue to grayish-green leaves radiating out in a circular axis from the tall stem. Rosettes of serrated blue green […] Dasylirion wheeleri (Spoon Yucca) - An evergreen long lived plant with long, gray strap-shaped serrated leaves on a stout short trunk that can rise 4 to 6 feet and the spread can be about the same. Stems/Trunks/Caudex: Single, succulents, short-caulescens, unbranched up to 40 cm thick growing to 1,5 m tall (but usually so short it hardly exists ), though often recumbent on the ground. Erigeron Karvinskianus Care: Growing Mexican Daisy, Desert spoon, spoon flower, or common sotol, blue sotol, grey desert spoon, spoon yucca, Height of 16′ (5m) tall, 5 m (16 ft) tall, and 3 cm in diameter. It is best planted in full sun. You have to water it regularly but sparingly, during summers as that ensures optimal growth. Wheeler’s Sotol. However, light spring fertilization with a balanced formula will ensure good growth. It can be treated using fungicidal treatment and keeping the plant is well-aerated conditions with good soil drainage. Click on a place name to get a complete protected plant list for that location. Dasylirion wheeleri. Make sure you have planted them in a well-draining soil. The blue-green leaves of Dasylirion wheeleri are thin rather than succulent, and their serrated margins mean that caution is in order when weeding around them. Barbs lining the margins of the thick pale green leaves give Dasylirion another common name, sawtooth You don’t really need to fertilize the plant. Dasylirion wheeleri (Spoon Yucca) is an evergreen succulent with long gray slender serrated leaves. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. The name Dasylirion comes from the Greek: “dasy” means “shaggy” and “lirion” is lily. The name for the genus comes from the Greek words 'dasys', meaning "dense" , "rough" or "shaggy" and 'lirion' meaning "lily" likely in reference to the long rough leaves. You can remove dried spent flowers as needed. Symmetrical rosette of narrow leaf blades or leaves emanating from the center of the rosette. The leaves are a blue-gray and 3 feet long. Flowering occurs only every few years with tiny flowers that grow in late spring to sum… No, these plants don’t bloom every year. Desert spoon has a dense rosette of graceful, attractive blue-green leaves and a short, woody trunk. Chronically wet soil can lead to root rot. It seems everywhere I go this plant, commonly called Sotol or Desert Spoon, is pruned up to look like a pineapple. Dasylirion wheeleri holds on to its old leaves making a shaggy skirt. Sow in spring. Dasylirion wheeleri (Spoon Yucca) - An evergreen long lived plant with long, gray strap-shaped serrated leaves on a stout short trunk that can rise 4 to 6 feet and the spread can be about the same. Common names are from state and federal lists. There are no known issues of pests with this plant. Dasylirion wheeleri Desert Spoon. We're always looking to improve our articles to help you become an even better gardener. Dasylirion wheeleri Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae Clade: Tracheophytes Clade: Angiosperms Clade: Monocots Order: Asparagales Family: Asparagaceae Subfamily: Nolinoideae Genus: Dasylirion Species: D. wheeleri Binomial name Dasylirion wheeleri S. Watson ex Rothrock Dasylirion wheeleri is a species of flowering plant in the asparagus family Asparagaceae, native to arid environments of northern Mexico, in Chihuahua and Sonora and in the southwestern United States, in the Sonoran Desert The genus has long been included in the Agave family (Agavaceae) but is now considered to be in the Nolinaceae family with Nolina and Beaucarnea. If you’re doing so, make sure that the size of the plant is large enough. Zones 6-9. The soil should be completely dry in between waterings. Common Name: Desert Spoon Description: Dasylirion wheeleri, commonly known as Desert Spoon is a modern-art optical treat of beautiful blue-grey leaves radiating perfectly straight out from the center with a soft little curl at the very end. Sotol or Desert spoon is an excellent Yucca relative that does amazingly well in our climate given the correct conditions. Dasylirion quadrangulatum (Mexican grass tree) has stiff, narrow green leaves with smooth margins, more fine textured and wide spreading than others. It’s upright sword-shaped leaves look stunning. In the APG III classification system, it is placed in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Nolinoideae (formerly … Tall flower stalks appear in summer, attracting hummingbirds. Leaves take on a beautiful silver-green to bluish green color. However, they can tolerate partial sun as well. The leaf ends tend to become frizzy, adding an overall hazy texture to the plant. Once mature, the plants bloom with a tall, pole-like flower spike that holds on the plant for through the winter. It’s a slow to moderate growing perennial shrub having a single trunk that has no branches. It’s beautiful gray-green color and spiky, yet the frizzy texture is emphasized when it’s planted alongside other softer shaped plants or ornamental grasses. Valued for its flat blue leaves, Dasylirion wheeleri is preferred as an outdoor landscape plant for desert gardens with a cast iron constitution. Margins are toothed, closely resembling a saw blade. The most widely cultivated species is Dasylirion wheeleri, native to southern Arizona and New Mexico, as well as the Mexican states of Chihuahua and Sonora. This plant inhabits rocky hillsides and grasslands from 3,000 to 6,000 feet in southeastern Arizona, southwestern New Mexico west Texas and south into Sonora Mexico. Dasylirion wheeleri is one of the species in this genus. There are no serious growing problems with Dasylirion wheeleri. I created Epic Gardening to help teach 10,000,000 people how to grow anything, no matter where they live in the world. On a full-grown plant, the leaves are up to 4 feet long (1.2 m) and about ¾ inch to a little over 1 … Dasylirion Wheeleri is also commonly known as the Sotol Plant. Pulling off leaves at the base gives you the "desert spoon." The common name refers to the ends of the leaf blades which form a spoon shape when torn off the trunk. The 3 foot long narrow leaves are blue-gray color with sharp serrated margins and a spoon shaped base that gives the plant one of its common name. They are long, slender and have toothed margins. The leaf blades are grayish-green in color. They are drought- and wind-resistant, with a tolerance for extreme heat and low temperatures. After flowering the rosette branches at the base of the inflorescence to replace the flowering rosette and enabling the stem to continue to grow on. Some of these may be affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission if items are purchased. Greenish yellow foliage and reddish brown teeth. Dasylirion wheeleri looks amazing as part of a desert-themed landscape or a xeriscape garden. These plants are found along dry washes, arid lands and on rocky hillsides where the soil is porous and fast draining. They are also an extremely handsome focal plant. Dasylirion leiophyllum – One of the smaller sotol plants at only 3 feet (.91 m.) tall. The Dasylirion wheeleri is a favorite butchering subject for landscapers. This evergreen succulent shows off its large rosette of serrated blue to grayish-green leaves radiating out in a circular axis from the tall stem. These plants are native to hot climates and they are sun-loving. While you're here, why not follow us on Facebook and YouTube? Sotol or Desert Spoon has ribbon-like leaves to 3 ft. edged with hooked thorns. When flowering, the males grow creamy yellow flowers while females have purplish-pink flowers. Desert Spoon or Sotol (Dasylirion wheeleri) is a long-lived native of the native Chihuahuan desert. The trunk may be up to 3 feet (0.91 m) high, and is either partially buried or above ground [ 21 ]. The plants cannot stand very long periods of frost. Once the plant is mature, it blooms with a pole-like flower stalk. This is because they are fast draining. Threatened and Endangered Information: This plant is listed by the U.S. federal government or a state. The leaves can reach 5 ft. in length (150 cm) and are adorned with golden spines along their margins. Epic Gardening occasionally links to goods or services offered by vendors to help you find the best products to care for plants. You can propagate the plant by seeds or by cuttings. Over-watering seems to have no effect. Dasylirion wheeleri (Desert Spoon) Dasylirion wheeleri (Desert Spoon) is a very ornamental evergreen succulent boasting a perfectly symmetrical rosette packed with hundreds of long, narrow, silvery blue-green leaves tipped with white fibers. Next. Dasylirion wheeleri (Desert Spoon or Common or Blue Sotol) is probably the second most commonly grown species in cultivation. Dasylirion is one of the plants I call a southwest evergreen. The leaf ends tend to become frizzy, adding an overall hazy texture to the plant. Do Dasylirion wheeleri plants flower every year? The slender leaves are basally clumped. Leaves are not pointed but rather more frayed looking.Dasylirion texanum – A native of Texas. It is a bit of a challenge in the garden as its teeth along the leaf margins are sharp and will grab clothing and skin so keep away from pathways and wear leather gloves when trimming or pulling older leaves. The 3 foot long narrow leaves are blue-gray color with sharp serrated margins and a spoon shaped base that gives the plant one of its common name. However, give them room to grow and to allow adequate airflow between plants. The range of common sotol (dasylirion wheeleri) spans the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts, and the mountains in between, and so overlaps with quite a few types of yucca and agave, but is easily recognizable for having long, narrow, flexible leaves (bluish green or yellowish green in color), lined with a dense array of small teeth; leaves of some yucca species are similar, but none bear teeth. One of the most ornamental of all desert plants. These leaf bases remain on the trunk giving it a rough appearance. High humidity or wet soil can lead to fungal infection in some cases. Also, keep the watering frequency to the minimum. Here are some specific care requirements for this perennial succulent. Dasylirion wheeleri sport flat, elongated leaves. Native to the northern Chihuahuan Desert of northern Mexico into Arizona and stretching to the east through New Mexico into Texas is where you will find this handsome desert dweller. It is drought tolerant and hardy to 0 degrees F. Though flowering is not a regular occurrence the flowers are interesting and attract bees, butterflies and other insects to the garden. Previous. Make sure that the container is well-draining. this is because Dasylirion wheeleri does not like to be transplanted or repotted often. The green desert spoon, Dasylirion acrotrichum of Mexico is preferred for its coloring which lends a more lush character to the garden. You just have to make sure that the soil in which they’re growing drains well. Flowering occurs only every few years with tiny flowers that grow in late spring to summer. The plant falls in the USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11. Other common names include Desert Spoon, Nolina, Beargrass, yuca, sotol (means palm) saño and palmita. The color of the flower indicates the gender of the plant. Desert spoon, common sotol or the sotol plant (Dasylirion wheeleri) is a long-lived native of the Chiahuahuan Desert of northern Mexico. Don’t water the crown though as that may result in root rot. They should be grown in areas where the temperature doesn’t go below 50°F in winters. Dasylirion comes from the tall stem gray-green leaves arranged in a hemispherical form texanum..., with a pole-like flower stalk specific epithet honors Lieutenant George m. 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