Adam's needle (Yucca filamentosa) is a broadleaf evergreen shrub that is often used in Southwest themed landscapes, event though it is native to the Southeast U.S. Adam's needle is related to many other commonly grown cacti and succulents, and the family to which it belongs reveals another surprising relative—asparagus.Adam's needle is a virtually stemless shrub that looks more like a perennial plant. The blade-like leaves form a basal rosette ending in spines. The foliage clumps are usually 2 to 3 feet tall, with curled threads lining the edges of the leaves, giving it its species name—filamentosa—meaning a thread or "filament."Mature plants send up flower stalks from the center of the foliage in late spring, which can double the height of this yucca plant, sometimes growing to over 8 feet tall. The flower cluster usually appears right around the beginning of summer, with individual blooms taking the shape of nodding, white bells. his is a slow-growing plant, which may not produce flower spikes until it is four to five years old. Adam's needle can be planted almost any time, though it is most commonly available at nurseries in the spring. However, transplanting, or taking basal offsets of Y. filamentosa is best done in the fall.
