Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Desert Dusk
Desert Dusk is a compact Red Yucca selection with unusual maroon flowers. The clump of grey-green leaves stays about 2 to 3 feet tall and wide, and the flowers sit on short, upright stalks from March into June. In cold weather the leaves take on a burgundy tint, then turn green again in spring. It fits small beds and patio pots, takes full sun and reflected heat, and needs little water once rooted.
Best for: small beds and borders, patio pots, hot spots with reflected heat, and anyone who wants a darker flower color than the usual Red Yucca.
The clump stays about 2 to 3 feet tall and wide, more compact than most Hesperaloe. It fits narrow beds and borders where regular Red Yucca would crowd the space.
It is grown in patio containers and planters. The short, upright flower stalks keep the maroon blooms close to the leaves, in scale with the pot.
It prefers full sun and handles reflected heat off walls and paving. It also takes part shade, though it blooms less there.
Heavy soil that stays wet can rot the roots. Javelina can dig up Red Yucca types for the roots, so young plants can need a wire cage the first year.
- Mass planting2 ft apart
- Border or bed3-4 ft apart
Water regularly through the first year, without overdoing it. Heavy soil that stays wet can rot the roots.
Once rooted it needs little water, and a deep soak every 2 to 4 weeks in summer keeps it growing and flowering.
Remove old flower stalks after bloom and pull dead leaves. Do not shear the clump.
It prefers full sun and handles reflected heat, and it also takes part shade. Expect fewer flowers in shade.
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.
What is Desert Dusk?
It is a selection of Red Yucca, Hesperaloe parviflora, chosen for its maroon flowers and more compact size. Care is the same as for regular Red Yucca.
How big does Desert Dusk get?
It grows about 2 to 3 feet tall and wide, smaller than most Hesperaloe, at a slow to moderate pace. Use it where regular Red Yucca would crowd a narrow bed or pot.
What color are the flowers?
The flowers are maroon to burgundy, with gold centers, on upright, compact stalks above the grey-green leaves. Cut the stalks at the base once they finish.
When does Desert Dusk bloom?
In the low desert it blooms from March through June. A deep soak every 2 to 4 weeks in summer keeps it growing well after the bloom.
Why do the leaves turn purple-red in winter?
That color change is normal. The leaves take on a burgundy tint in cold weather and turn green again in spring, so there is nothing to fix.
How far apart should I plant Desert Dusk?
Plant them about 2 feet apart for a dense mass, or 3 to 4 feet apart in a border or bed. The Spacing tab shows both options.
Does Desert Dusk attract hummingbirds?
Yes. Like other Red Yucca types, its tubular flowers draw hummingbirds. Leave the stalks up until the flowers finish so they keep feeding.
How often should I water Desert Dusk?
Water it regularly the first year without overdoing it. Once rooted, it needs little water, with a deep soak every 2 to 4 weeks in summer.
Can it take reflected heat or shade?
Yes, it can take both. It prefers full sun and handles reflected heat, and it can also grow in part shade. Plant it in full sun if you want the most flowers.
How cold hardy is Desert Dusk?
It is very cold hardy, rated to about -20°F. Valley winters do not hurt it, so it needs no frost cover.
How is Desert Dusk different from Red Yucca?
Desert Dusk is smaller, about 2 to 3 feet instead of 3 to 4, with maroon flowers on shorter stalks. Regular Red Yucca has coral-red flowers and blooms from spring into fall. Pick Desert Dusk for small beds and pots.
Desert Dusk for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Desert Dusk is a selection of Red Yucca, Hesperaloe parviflora, bred for maroon flowers and a smaller clump. It keeps the toughness of the species, from reflected heat to cold near -20°F, on very little water. This page covers its size, bloom season, spacing, watering 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 Desert Dusk Red Yucca?
Desert Dusk is a selection of Red Yucca bred for maroon flowers and a compact clump. The flowers are burgundy with gold centers, held on short, upright stalks above grey-green leaves.
How big does Desert Dusk get in Arizona?
It grows slowly to moderately, to about 2 to 3 feet tall and wide. That is more compact than most Hesperaloe, so it fits smaller beds and pots.
When does Desert Dusk bloom in Phoenix?
In the low desert it blooms from March through June. The maroon flowers open on upright stalks just above the leaves.
How far apart to plant Desert Dusk
Space plants about 2 feet apart for a dense mass, or 3 to 4 feet apart center to center in a border. Each clump grows 2 to 3 feet wide.
Desert Dusk vs Red Yucca
Both plants are Hesperaloe parviflora. Desert Dusk is the smaller of the two, with maroon flowers on shorter stalks and leaves that turn burgundy in cold weather. Red Yucca is 3 to 4 feet tall with coral-red flowers.
Watering Desert Dusk in the Valley
Water it regularly the first year without overdoing it. Once rooted it needs little water, just a deep soak every 2 to 4 weeks in summer to keep it growing well.
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.