Eryngium agavifolium

Outlandishly attractive evergreen clumps of straplike, spine-edged leaves. Have you ever seen the rostrum of a sawfish? Like that. Just as prehistoric-looking but a yummy, succulent pale blue-green, each blade with a silvery bloom on them. These huge whooshes of spiky leaves can reach 5 ft in height and diameter so need plenty of space and command a real presence in any self-respecting plant collectors collection. Especially suited to those connoisseurs of the big-leaved and exotic. Their flower spikes are impressive too: reaching a soaring 7ft and festooned with pale purple fluffy balls. It’s evergreen in all but the coldest winters, and if the foliage withers and shrivels don’t panic it will rocket back. In fact, try cutting down to the ground every few years to avoid a messy mix of old and new foliage and keep it looking its imposing, architectural best.

Perfect for coastal or mediterranean inspired gardens and magnificent in pots: there’s just something so stylish and expensive-looking about any spiky rosette spilling out of something posh and terracotta. Give it as much sun as you can give it, and some well draining soil to shove its lower portions into.