Park volunteer Amos Thomas spent four hours cleaning up around the Yucca Gardens in Big Gem Park on Saturday September 6, 2014. Amos discovered these yuccas in the park while he was cutting down trees in the ball field project area during the summer of 2005. They were mostly covered in briers and weeds and after a few days of work, the area was cleared out exposing numerous yucca plants. No one really knows how the yuccas got to be in the park, but we do know that they spread by their sprawling root structure and by seeds. The Yucca gardens are located on the left side of the gravel roadway, across from Tiger Lilly Lane and the entrance to the ball field project area.
The yucca is a perennial, evergreen shrub that comes in several species. It is a native of the southwestern United State, and thrives in soil that drains well and can be in full sun. It is also able to withstand temperatures as cold as 10 degrees F. The yuccas ‘s sword-like leaves add a distinctive look to any area, including the landscape. The creamy-white flowers bloom best in full sun, during mid to late summer, with some yucca growing as tall as 10 feet and leaves that reach about 2½ feet in length. They also have a fairly extensive root system and another plant can appear a short distance away.
