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Nolina bigelovii [IB158]

Also Known As

Bear Grass
Beargrass
Bigelow's Nolina

Plant type

cactus / succulent

size

H: 3'-15'
W: 5'

planting zones

8a-11

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Nolina bigelovii [IB158] plant details

Nolina bigelovii [IB158] is an evergreen cactus / succulent with blue foliage. In summer cream flowers emerge. Features glaucous texture. Attracts hummingbirds. Grows well with sun and low water. Drought tolerant once established. Does well in gritty, rocky and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Nolina bigelovii [IB158]

Plant type: cactus / succulent
Plant family: agavaceae, asparagaceae
Foliage: evergreen blue
Mature size: 5 FT wide, 3 FT - 15 FT - tall
Flowers: cream blooms in summer
Uses: rock garden, spiky, xeric

GROWING CONDITIONS for Nolina bigelovii [IB158]

USDA Zones: 8a - 11
Sun exposure: sun
Watering frequency: low
Resistant to: deer, heat and verticillium wilt
Soil needs: gritty, rocky and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

This very beautiful and much underused species comes from western Arizona and southern Nevada. It forms a trunk to as high as 15', with a large head of slightly curved, ghostly blue leaves. This species has the distinction of being the only trunking Nolina with filamentose leaf margins. In the wild, it seems to inhabit any area where the soil has a lot of large rocks, often in very dry, hot areas. However, in the Kofa palm canyon it grows along watercourses in shaded areas, so perhaps it is not that fussy. My collection from about 3,200' near Wikieup, Arizona should be cold hardy to at least 10 °F. Although more of a heat lover than some Nolinas, I don't expect it to be difficult to grow. DS. (Packet of 20 seeds)