The more I look at Marks query and look at the specimen in my garden, the more I'm convinced it is Beschorneria yuccoides. It closely resembles a lax growing Yucca, although you only have to handle the leaves to realise they are soft textured and marginally succulent. The red flower spike and bracts certainly fall in line with Marc's description and its borderline hardiness in cool areas also points strongly to this species. David Poole