Seems like only yesterday we were all very excited about Yucca aloifolia ‘Blue Boy,’ with enticing photos whizzing by with some regularity on blogs and public garden websites. So much exciting potential for dry gardens!
In my garden, they never looked liked these photos taken in Sonoma, California in 2013. For me, the yucca snaked prostrate on the ground, slithering its ropy stems for several feet, to not much discernible effect. When surrounding plantings were revised, the yuccas were pulled. So long ‘Blue Boy.’
But that’s not the end of the story of the purply-leaved Yucca aloifolia in my garden. A sport of ‘Blue Boy’ was discovered by Briggs Nursery and named ‘Magenta Magic’ which has started to circulate in nurseries, reputed to be a dwarf form, estimated size about 2 feet. Already I can tell its leaves are slimmer, and I’m hoping they remain upright in a spiky spherical rosette. We ask so much of plants, don’t we? And it’s gratifying to know that nursery people are on our wavelength too, as far as what we’re looking for in garden plants. Onward with Yucca ‘Magenta Magic’! For zones 7ish to 9ish, native to southeast U.S.
It’s interesting that your ‘Blue Boy’ chose to go horizontal. Mine have generally remained upright and fairly short in stature, although I recently noticed that the tallest (3 feet) and oldest of mine seems to have recently produced 2 pups a few inches out from its base. The one I thought had died years ago also keeps reappearing even after I thought I’d dug it up. I’ll watch for further updates on ‘Magenta Magic’.
Both are Blue Boy and Magenta Magic are gorgeous. Wish they were hardy here. I pat myself on the back that I have a solid green one and Yucca ‘Colour Guard’ that do fairly well in my garden though they don’t reach nearly the stature that they do in your climate.
Thank you for this point. It confirms my own observations on ‘Blue Boy’. It’s gorgeous until it gets too big and falls victim to gravity. While creeping may be its nature, I don’t particularly like the way it looks.
I’ve seen ‘Magenta Magic’ in nurseries but didn’t know anybody who’s actually planted it. Pleae keep us posted.
Especially striking with the move to gravel mulch–a really lovely contrast.
My Blue Boys are both in large containers and very upright. One of them is getting quite top heavey so I will have to make a decision soon-having two makes it easier to discard one if need be.
I planted three Magenta Magics last January. Two are doing great. One, the landscapers broke it off at the neck. Tried to save it but no luck. Sad I was devastated that I may never find a replacement but just yesterday I did! These plants are so pretty. I have them planted next to agaves in very rocky soil with a 3/8” rock mulch, zone 9, and they’re gorgeous. I’d share pics if I knew how. The changes in color are very showing. Great plants.
@Karen, so glad you found a replacement — there is really no other plant like it!
I purchased two Magenta Magic in 2020. Had them in pots the first year and in the ground this year. Very slow growing compared to other yuccas in the garden. My issue with yucca is never cold as we are in Zone 8 but wet as I am in the PNW. One has already developed pups. Beautiful colour in the fall.