Yuccas such as Color Guard grow best if they are fertilized once in the spring and once in the summer. Although some authorities recommend special fertilizer mixes to get the maximum results, Yuccas do amazingly well with a more relaxed approach.
Apply an early spring fertilizer with a product such as Espoma Tree-tone or Plant-tone at the recommended rate. This will give the plant a boost of nitrogen that will be needed for healthy abundant foliage. Follow this up with a early summer application of Espoma Plant-tone. This will provide the necessary nutrients and raise the nitrogen in the soil which Yucca favor.
Espoma products are easy to use. Just sprinkle around the base of the plant and water it in. Be careful with products such as miracle-grow as these products can burn newly planted plants when not used at the recommended rates. Slow-release fertilizer can help prevent rapid sucker growth that is vulnerable to diseases and insects. Either chemical fertilizers or organic matter can be used successfully.
Since an organic method of applying manure and/or compost around the roots produces excellent results and also improves the condition of the soil, this would be an excellent first line of attack. Organic additions to the soil can also be combined with a shot of chemical fertilizer for maximum effect.
If chemical fertilizers are used on your Color Guard Yucca, applying a slow-release, balanced fertilizer once a year is probably the simplest solution. There are many slow-release fertilizers on the market. If you can find a fertilizer formulated for shrubs and trees, this fertilizer would work well on Color Guard Yucca.
However, slow-release is certainly not the only way to fertilize euonymus. A less expensive, fast release fertilizer such as a 10-10-10 will work just as well if applied twice during the summer. If you are looking for a fertilizing routine tailored to your specific conditions, a soil sample should be taken and the fertilizer and trace elements matched to the needs of your soil.
Don't fertilize Bright Edge Yucca after August. Fall is the time for Color Guard Yucca to begin preparing for dormancy. Fertilizing at this time may stimulate new growth that will be too tender to withstand the winter. In the South, a late May application and another in July would be about right. More northern areas may wish to fertilize only once in June or July.
The amount of chemical fertilizer used per plant will vary with the size of the plant and it's root system. Over-fertilization can be much more detrimental than under-fertilization. "Fertilizer burn" can occur when too much fertilizer is applied, resulting in a drying out of the roots and damage or even death of the Yucca. It is much, much better to err on the side of too little fertilizer than too much. When roots are burned, the first sign is often scorched looking leaves. If over-fertilization is severe, the plant may just wilt and die.
If you are a beginner at growing plants, Color Guard Yucca Shrubs are easy to grow; however, it may be helpful to know that a very small plant which is planted in the ground will take about 1/8 - 1/4 cup of fertilizer. When fertilizing Yuccas in pots, be careful to apply a fertilizer that will not burn the roots (such as a slow release or a liquid fertilizer). A very large yucca in the ground will take 2 - 3 cups spread around the drip line of the branches (not next to the trunk). This is a very loose estimate, so please read the directions on the fertilizer before applying it.
If a liquid fertilizer is used for Color Guard Yucca, it should be applied every month for both plants in pots and in the ground. Never fertilize a plant with a chemical fertilizer if the plant looks sick or wilted. If a plant is struggling due to a disease or root problems, the fertilizer will only add stress to its life. Try to cure the problem before adding fertilizer.
For an organic approach, many gardeners use commercial manure on the soil around plants such as Color Guard Yucca. Excellent results have been reported by visitors to this site after using composted manure. Commercial manure or compost can be applied yearly around the base of the Color Guard Yucca. As with chemical fertilizers, do not apply it right next to the trunk or stems emerging from the ground.
