Nolina hibernica La Siberica

Nolina hibernica, also known as Nolina siberica, is a plant still rare in cultivation, discovered only about twenty years ago in the high mountains of Mexico. It resembles an arborescent yucca or a cordyline, perched on a tall, sturdy trunk topped by a dense fountain composed of long ribbon-like leaves. It is one of the hardiest Nolina species, able to withstand short frosts of around -15°C (5°F), if planted in gravelly or rocky soil. It is undoubtedly the best Nolina adapted to temperate climates of Western and Southern Europe, and unquestionably a masterful piece for a large exotic rockery.

Nolina hibernica is a plant from the Asparagaceae family, native to misty pine and oak forests occupying the dry slopes of the Eastern Sierra Madre, a mountain range located in northeastern Mexico. This plant grows up to 3200m (10499ft) altitude, not far from Agave americana, in a cold and humid environment in winter, sometimes snowy, experiencing freezing nights in winter and very hot and dry summers. It is an arborescent botanical species, with fairly rapid growth, initially forming a single, particularly solid trunk, topped by a spherical crown composed of numerous long linear leaves. An adult plant may show a divided trunk. It will reach about 3 to 4m (10 to 13ft) in height and form a crown of 1.5m (5ft) in diameter under our climates. The leaves develop at the end of the trunk. As the plant grows, the trunk appears covered with a thick parchment-like "skirt" made up of the remains of old dried leaves. The shiny, flexible, light green leaves are slightly spiralled. The flowering, in spring or summer, takes the form of a monumental panicle, 1 to 2m (3 to 7ft) in height, feathery in appearance, composed of thin small white flowers not exceeding 2mm (1in).

Nolina hibernica seems even easier to cultivate when planted in rocky soil, or soil composed of a good amount of gravel that allows for perfect drainage. Naturally, it will find its place in a large rockery, on a difficult slope, in full sun or even partial shade. This plant is ideal for brilliantly structuring the centre of an exotic bed. In warm climates, it can be planted alone or on an arid slope with Puya caerulea, Agave americana, Cylindropuntia imbricata, Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia), giant fennel, fairly hardy candle cacti (Cleistocactus strausii), and equally undemanding viper's bugloss from the Canary Islands. It can also be planted in a very large pot on a terrace, right next to Trachycarpus wagnerianus or Tetrapanax, carefully choosing a sheltered spot in full sun.