Don't know what this is

Pretty sure this is a Yucca. Many are very hardy but some are tender and can't identify it beyond that.
This photo seems to show the flower spike before it opens (as yours) and after it opens.
http://www.1er-jardin.com/IMG/cache-350x466/m-yucca_gros_plan_1903_1_-350x466.jpg

Maybe a Yucca Plant ? The flowers look Wonderful If it Is :)

It's either a Cordyline or a Yucca - photo doesn't show the base of the plant, so I can't tell if it has a woody stem or not - if it has a woody, thin, trunk, then it's Cordyline, if not its Yucca. It's only grown so much because of the flower - when its finished, cut out the flowering stem at its base.

OOOOPppppppps lol Posted @ same time Bertie lol :)

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It looks more like a New Zealand Flax to me. It grows everywhere there and although the tall flower stems promise to open into exotic flowers they don't do more than this, but produces large seed pods. Yucca has lovely white bell shaped flowers.

It's definitely not a Yucca. The flowers of a Yucca are borne in large white panicles. This is almost certainly a Phormium. Compare the flowerspike with the one in my photofile. You'll notice a number of similarities.It seems that alot of Phormiums are flowering this year.

Sorry BBbee, I disagree - I have a yucca in flower in a garden currently that looks exactly like this, though it will open out more later. And the leaves on this plant in the photo are too stiff looking for phormium

I would say, definitely not a phormium and my money is on it being a yucca

The plant itself looks like a Yucca not a phormium or cordyline.

I'm sticking to my guns folks.
Quote from Botanica 1997 edn.
"Yucca bear showy, tall panicles of drooping, white or cream, bell to cup-shaped flowers."
PHORMIUM.New Zealand Flax. "Valued for the dramatic effect of their stiff, vertical leaves ... flowers are yellow to red-brown with yellow interiors, and are carried on stiffly erect stems that extend well above the foliage clump."
It is the Phormium hybrids e.g. Maori Maiden or Maori Warrior that have drooping foliage.
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My yucca is flowering at the moment. Have a look at my latest pics to see the flowers.

Exactly, T&t. The photo of your Yucca with the red lilies backs up what I have just said regarding the appearance of the flowers.
I'll wander down to the site entrance in the morning. There are two huge Phormium tenax there. If they're in flower, I'll take a photo.
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Well, it sounds like thats it then BBbee..I have a New Zealand Flax which doesn't look like this though, a bronze straight leaf, not droopy but not stiff and sharp either.....the mystery deepens...:o)
Yep had a look on Google.......plain green leaves New Zealand flax with these flowers like a bird's beak......you're right Bbb........

Ok, the acid test - Richfowler, are there spines on the tips of the leaves?

I've only ever seen white or cream coloured flowers on yuccas over here.

Thanks for everyone's input I didn't expect such a response. I've added some more photo's for reference to my photo's.

It does have a spike at the end of each leaf and it survived the winter with me doing nothing to it.

If it has spines, then it's definitely a Yucca - I suspect the flowers will be white when they open. I'm going to check out your photos and see if I can work out which variety Yucca it is.
Had a look - one thing obvious, it needs either a bigger pot or planting out! Picture of the flowers when fully open would be great - I shall wait with great interest;-) |But it IS Yucca.

Nah! I reckon it's a Furcrea! A close up would show me for sure. Meantime, did the flower stalk emerge tinged bluey-purple?

A furcrea flower will grow to 15ft but don't take the flowers off. Leave them. They will turn into miniature plants and you can sweep them up with dustpan many many times after they fall naturally!!! (Should get about a 1000).

very funny muddywellies

Beschorneria yuccoides (google it)or something that i will hunt down as i had one once.

aka mexican lily

Mexican lily is frost tender

The flower stalk emerged dark red.

I know - but have the flowers opened yet? They can take a while to open. I reckon its Yucca aloifolia but am waiting to see the flowers when fully open.

The buds are getting fatter. I expect a few of them open in the next day or so. I'll post pictures

And Beschorneria yuccoides appears to have thicker leaves! i had one growing once, but mysteriously disappeared!?

Well it's flowered folks. Photo's in my photo's. Enjoy.