Years ago, yuccas were planted around many old homesteads and graveyards in my area. You can still see some in well kept cemeteries, but in abandoned ones they've gotten out of control, in some cases overrunning entire plots and concealing or overturning headstones.

Rosemount still stands. It was restored by a new owner in the mid-1970s, and was on the local home tour at least one year. Another new owner started a very ambitious restoration about 10 years ago, which was interrupted by the 2008 recession. I understand work continues, but at a slower pace. You can find more information about the house here.

About two miles northwest of Rosemount is another plantation home, Thornhill. The current owner is a direct descendent of the original owner.

In fact, Greene County has a large number of surviving antebellum homes, and an annual tour of homes (October 11 - 12 this year).

Those spiny plants in front of the porch look like Joshua trees. Curious to see them in Alabama.

[They're yuccas, common ornamentals in the South, often crossed with the egg-carton tulip. - Dave]