Dasylirion quadrangulatum
Known as Squareleaf, this is one of Mexico’s finest sons. 4ft wide tufits of exotic spikiness on a stout little trunk (up to 5ft after many years). Huge yellow flower spikes (to 10ft) every few years. looks much better if you cut off the old (yellow/brown) leaves.
Position in plenty of light and space and any reasonably well drained soil. We find Dasylirion are more tolerant of damp conditions than their provenance (N. Mexico) would suggest.
N.B. When clipping several plants with the same tool, have a bucket containing a 5% bleach solution and swish your blades around for 30 seconds between plants to sterilise them. This will help avoid the chance of cross contamination of disease.
As with all woody plants, plant high, exposing as much of the taper at the base of the trunk as possible. Allowing soil to accumulate round the base of a tree can be fatal. Keep very well watered when first planted.
