Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Brakelights Hesperaloe
Brakelights is a compact red yucca that grows slowly into a clump about 2 feet tall and wide. Its flowers are a deeper, brighter red than the usual coral red yucca, and they open on arching stalks from spring into late summer. It rarely sets seed pods, which gives it a long bloom season. It takes full sun and reflected heat and needs little water once rooted.
Best for: small beds and borders, large patio pots, hot entries and streetside strips with reflected heat, and hummingbird gardens where a full-size red yucca would be too big.
At about 2 feet tall and wide, it fits narrow beds, borders and entry planters. Space plants 2 to 3 feet apart for a row or a mass planting.
It takes full sun and the reflected heat off walls, drives and sidewalks. That makes it a common pick for streetside strips and hot front entries.
Its compact size suits a large patio pot with a drainage hole. Because it rarely sets seed pods, it keeps putting up new flower stalks through a long season.
In shade it blooms less. Heavy soil that stays wet can rot the roots, and young plants can need a wire cage if javelina or rabbits visit your yard.
- Mass planting2 ft apart
- Row or border2-3 ft apart
Water regularly the first year so the roots get going, but let the soil dry between waterings. Soil that stays wet can rot the roots.
Once rooted, rain covers most of the year. Give a deep soak about every 2 to 4 weeks in the dry summer months, which also helps it bloom.
Cut spent flower stalks at the base once they finish. Pull out old dead leaves, which come away easily, and never shear the clump.
Javelina can dig up the roots and rabbits can chew young plants. A wire cage for the first year keeps it safe while it roots in.
Drainage test first. Dig the hole and fill it with water. If water is still sitting in the hole a day later, you likely hit caliche, clay or hard soil, so fix the drainage before planting. If it drains very fast, the soil is sandy. Standing water around roots is a common reason new plants fail.
Weed cloth. Cut it away from the planting hole and where the roots will spread. Remove any plastic sheeting completely, since it keeps water and air out of the soil.
Rock or decomposed granite with no soil underneath. Bring in soil close in texture to your native soil, mix it with the soil below, and build up enough depth for roots before planting.
If you can break through. Use a breaker bar, pick, or jackhammer. Dig through the caliche and break out the solid chunks. Backfill with the soil you dug out, with no compost or manure in the hole. Confirm drainage before planting.
If you cannot break through. Dig narrow holes through the hard layer beside the root ball, not under it, and refill them with the same soil, not gravel. If it still will not drain, plant on a low mound of the same soil.
Root ball. Check the outside edges for any roots circling around. Loosen or cut those so they grow outward. Do not break up the center of the root ball.
Depth. The top of the root ball should sit at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep can lead to rot and kill the plant.
Drip emitters. At planting, put the emitters on the root ball, on different sides of the plant. After about 2 months, move them to the outer edge of the root ball. Over the first year, add emitters farther out toward the edge of the branches as roots grow. Once a plant is rooted, never water only at the trunk.
How big does Brakelights get?
It grows slowly into a clump about 2 feet tall and 2 feet wide. The flower stalks arch up above the leaves. Plan on it staying much smaller than regular red yucca.
How is Brakelights different from regular red yucca?
It is a smaller, tighter plant, and its flowers are a deeper red than the coral of regular red yucca. It also rarely sets seed pods, so it keeps blooming longer. Otherwise you care for it the same way.
How far apart should I plant Brakelights?
Plant it about 2 to 3 feet apart, center to center. Use 2 feet for a solid mass and closer to 3 feet for a looser row. The Spacing tab will count plants for your bed.
When does Brakelights bloom?
It flowers from spring into late summer, and sometimes into fall. Cut each stalk at the base once it finishes to keep the clump tidy.
Does Brakelights attract hummingbirds?
Yes. Hummingbirds come to the red tubular flowers, and bees visit too. Plant it where you can see it from a window or patio.
How often should I water Brakelights?
Water regularly the first year, but let the soil dry between waterings. Once rooted, give it a deep soak about every 2 to 4 weeks in summer. Rain covers most of the rest of the year.
Can Brakelights take reflected heat?
Yes. It takes full sun and reflected heat from walls and paving. Give it full sun for the most flowers, since it blooms less in shade.
How do I trim Brakelights?
Cut spent flower stalks down at the base, and pull out old dead leaves by hand. Do not shear the leaves, because it ruins the shape.
Can I grow Brakelights in a pot?
Yes. It grows well in a large pot with a drainage hole. Pots dry out faster than the ground, so check the soil more often in summer.
How cold hardy is Brakelights?
It is hardy to about -20°F, far below a Valley winter. It needs no frost cover.
Will javelina or rabbits eat Brakelights?
Javelina can dig up red yucca for its roots, and rabbits can chew young plants. Put a wire cage around new plants for the first year if they visit your yard.
Is Brakelights messy?
No. It drops very little litter and rarely sets seed pods, so it stays neat by a patio or pool.
Brakelights Hesperaloe for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Brakelights (Hesperaloe parviflora 'Perpa') is a compact red yucca bred in Arizona. It forms a 2 foot clump of narrow blue-green leaves and sends up deep red flowers from spring into late summer. Below is what to expect in a Valley yard: size, spacing, bloom, water, trimming and how it compares with regular red yucca.
Sourced from trusted Arizona growers and delivered directly to your door, job site, or property. We deliver across the Valley and to nearby towns, and quote delivery anywhere else in Arizona.
What is Brakelights red yucca?
Brakelights is a compact selection of red yucca bred in Arizona. It forms a 2 foot clump of narrow, leathery blue-green leaves. Its flowers are a deeper red than regular red yucca.
How far apart do you plant Brakelights?
Plant Brakelights about 2 to 3 feet apart, center to center. Use the closer spacing for a solid mass. The Spacing tab on this page counts plants for your bed.
Brakelights vs regular red yucca
Regular red yucca is a larger plant with coral flowers. Brakelights stays about 2 feet with deeper red flowers, and it rarely sets seed pods, so it blooms over a longer season.
When does Brakelights bloom in Phoenix?
It blooms from spring into late summer, and sometimes into fall. Hummingbirds visit the whole time. Cut each spent stalk at the base.
Brakelights in hot, reflected sun
It takes full sun and reflected heat from walls, drives and sidewalks, which is why it shows up in streetside beds. In shade it flowers less.
How often to water Brakelights
Water regularly the first year without keeping the soil wet. Once rooted, a deep soak about every 2 to 4 weeks in summer is enough. Rain covers most of the rest of the year.
Growing Brakelights in a pot
Its small size makes it a good pick for a large patio pot with a drainage hole. Check the soil more often in summer, since pots dry out faster than the ground.
We deliver across the Valley, from Phoenix, Scottsdale and Mesa out to San Tan Valley, Maricopa and Casa Grande, and up to Prescott, Sedona, Payson and Globe. See delivery areas and rates.