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Bright bell-shaped flowers of the Red Hesperaloe bloom from now through November.

Bright bell-shaped flowers of the Red Hesperaloe bloom from now through November.

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Today’s subject plant seems to have an identity problem. This Chihuahuan Desert native is often referred to as “red yucca,” but is not a yucca. The proper name is red hesperaloe (Hesperaloe parviflora). However, it is not really an aloe, but is closely related to the large agave family.

Currently these plants are full of bright bloom in boulevard medians, lining driveways and sidewalks, in commercial mass plantings, and in our own landscapes. The deep coral-pink-to-red flowers crowd the length of leaning stalks up to 5 feet tall, emerging from the plant centers.

Early botanists thought it looked so much like an aloe plant they named it western (hesper) aloe. One of our sturdiest, most reliable desert plants, the red hesperaloe is the most popular landscape plant in Southeastern Arizona.

Its blue-green evergreen leaves, 3 to 4 feet long, have a relaxed, loose appearance resembling coarse grass. Along the leaf edges of this clumping succulent are numerous fibrous threads. Foliage gets a reddish-bronze hue in winter, adding seasonal interest.

Nodding bell-shaped flowers have a long bloom period, usually from April into November. To the delight of hummingbirds, the flowers will open intermittently along the stalk for months. Knobby pods follow and remain, usually until trimmed away. If pods are allowed to dry on the stalk, they can be broken open and seeds collected for planting. Otherwise spent bloom stalks can be removed at any convenient time.

Hesperaloe can be planted any time from containers. Plants spread to form large dense clumps. Old clumps may be divided in late winter or spring and reset to form new plants. Full sun is recommended for best flowering, but it also grows in part shade. A slow grower, it tolerates any well-draining alkaline soil.

Drought-tolerant hesperaloe looks better with summer supplemental water every three to four weeks, relying on rainfall in winter. It is cold hardy to 0 degrees.

Neither insects nor disease are a problem for hesperaloe. The only maintenance required is the end of season removal of spent flower stalks.

This plant is a favorite of wildlife. Deer browse the foliage. The fleshy root area is a real draw for javelina that usually root out the entire plant, eating the succulent part and tossing leathery leaves away. It is advised to install sturdy fencing around any hesperaloe planted outside yard walls.

Among hesperaloe cultivars, there is one with soft creamy yellow flowers, and a newer deep red flowered hybrid called “Brake Lights.” All grow well in containers.

With their vivid flowers, long bloom period, interesting foliage and low maintenance, hesperaloes make valuable accent plants in the desert landscape.

Mary Kidnocker is a University of Arizona Master Gardener who lives in Green Valley. Her articles are featured each Sunday.

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