Culture Notes
Adam's Needle is a slow growing native plant found scattered through the woods, especially in breaks with plenty of sun on the sandy soils of the coastal plains in the southeastern United States. Leaves appear as though they have been shaved because leaf margins bear curved, filamentous threads of leaf tissue. The leaf terminates in a sharp spine. Plants stay small, growing no more than about 3-feet-tall. In summer a tall, showy flower spike emerges from the center of the plant and displays prominently for several weeks.
Adam's Needle can be used as a specimen to accent an area in the landscape. Its striking texture will draw attention. It has also been planted in mass on 3- to 4-foot centers to form a ground cover effect. Locate the plant 3 to 4 feet back from the edge of a walk or patio to prevent getting injured from the spine at the tip of the leaves. This plant is considered mostly allergy free and causes little or no allergy problems in most people.
Adam's Needle grows in its native habitat in well-drained soils in mostly sunny locations. It tolerates partial shade as well, provided enough air circulates to keep the plant on the dry side. Parents of this evergreen plant do not like to be moved. Offsets can be dug in the spring and seeds can be gathered in the fall and sown. Tolerant of humid, hot weather and very dry soil conditions.
'Bright Edge' has creamy white flowers and variegated leaves that have a golden leaf margin.
Planting and establishing shrubs
The most common cause of young plant failure is planting too deep. Plant the root ball no deeper than it was in the nursery. In most instances, the root flare zone (point where the top-most root in the root ball originates from the trunk) should be located just above the landscape soil surface. Sometimes plants come from the nursery with soil over the root flare. If there is soil over this area, scrape it off. The planting hole should be at least twice the width of the root ball, preferably wider. In all but exceptional circumstances where the soil is very poor, there is no need to incorporate anything into the backfill soil except the loosened soil that came out of the planting hole. Never place ANY soil over the root ball. If a row or grouping of plants is to be installed, excavating or loosening the soil in the entire bed and incorporating organic matter enhances root growth and establishment rate.
Weed suppression during establishment is essential. Apply a 3-inch thick layer of mulch around the plant to help control weed growth. Keep it at least 10 inches from the trunk. If you apply it over the root ball, apply only a one or two inch layer.  This allows rainwater and air to easily enter the root ball and keeps the trunk dry. Placing mulch against the trunk or applying too thick a layer above the root ball can kill the plant by oxygen starvation, death of bark, stem and root diseases, prevention of hardening off for winter, vole and other rodent damage to the trunk, keeping soil too wet, or repelling water. Regular irrigation through the first growing season after planting encourages rapid root growth, which is essential for quick plant establishment.
Pests, Diseases and Damaging Agents
Pests:Â No serious pests effect the plant if its cultural requirements are met.
Diseases:Â Leaf and bacterial blight and leaf spot.
Environment
This plant tolerates drought and salt well.
This plant will grow in dry to moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to alkaline (less than 6.8 to more than 7.7) soil.
Fruit Color   Brown
The fruit is dry and oval.Â