Yucca flaccida 'Color Guard'

This plant performs best in full sun to partial sun. While it can tolerate some shade, you will get the most vibrant gold-centered foliage and the best growth habit when it receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.

Yes, the tough, spiky foliage of the 'Color Guard' Yucca is generally unappealing to both deer and rabbits. It is an excellent choice for gardens where wildlife browsing is a common concern.

The most critical requirement is well-drained soil. As a drought-tolerant plant, it will struggle in heavy, waterlogged clay or soil that stays constantly wet, so ensure your planting site has excellent drainage.

It works beautifully in containers and serves as a striking 'thriller' plant due to its architectural shape and colorful foliage. Just be sure to use a pot with drainage holes and a well-draining potting mix.

At maturity, 'Color Guard' typically reaches about 20 inches in height with a spread of up to 3 feet. Its slow growth rate makes it a manageable, low-maintenance addition to rock gardens or borders.

This variety is quite hardy, thriving in USDA zones 4a through 10b. It is an evergreen perennial, meaning it will retain its foliage color throughout the winter in most of these climates.