Dasylirion quadrangulatum

Sturdy, stocky, spiky, evergreen reaching a decent 3 to 5 metres high and around 1 to 2 metres wide. Takes its time in doing so: starts out grass-like and tufty when young and carefree, and then becomes stately, imposing and full of character as it matures and develops a thick trunk. Fantastic, and fantastical living architecture for a sunny and ferociously-drained garden. Being a slow-ish growing oddity from Mexico it has a decidedly prehistoric air about it: the gnarly trunk and puff of long flexible leaves that arrange themselves with majestic precision into a crisp globe shape are basically topiary without the shears, and the silhouette leaves one rather in mind of an old fashioned shaving brush.

Very tolerant of windy and coastal positions, its form visually lends itself to a landscape of rocks and arid lumps. Fabulous contrast against lusher, big-leaved foppish tropicals and, indeed, classic topiary collections but it must always have full sun. City courtyards and walled sun-traps are just the ticket away from the coast, and even a single specimen will inject some serious architectural wallop into your garden. Naturally we’d advocate for a group, because more is more, darling, and what could be more delightful than a whole herd of these beauties?