Beschorneria ‘Ding Dong’

[David F]

This is a hybrid created by local horticultural Martin Grantham over 25 years ago, and in people’s collections here in the San Francisco Bay Area. I think at one point it was also offered by Tony Avent’s Plant Delights Nursery in North Carolina. It’s done very well in my street side verge with absolutely no supplemental irrigation, and blooms reliably each April/May. Unfortunately this plant is poorly placed to enjoy the inflorescences as they will always lean out and impede both walkers and cars being parked unless I stake them to avoid damage.

[Paul S]

Nice. I have the reverse cross - septentrionalis x yuccoides - which favours septentrionalis more. IMO it is a better, more forgiving garden plant than either parent and would guess that one is also. Shame about the name, though. :D

[MartinNicklin]

Could have been worse, based on the true life "King Dong." I seem to remember a post about unsubtle plant names on GOTE.

[David F]

And a few days further along, photos taken on Saturday evening after a full day gardening for clients on the other side of the Bay.

While the cultivar name appears silly, it makes more sense to American ears as ‘Dong Dong’ is a commonly used expression for a ringing door bell and is in wide usage here by the public and in television/cinema.