Dasylirion

The Dasylirion wheeleri is a bush suitable for semi-desert climates and hardy enough to be grown in most central European gardens, provided it is given a perfectly drained soil. It is characterised by linear leaves ending in a tuft of fibres, which are shorter and bluer. This woody plant, resembling a large sea urchin, is already spectacular in its early years but becomes even more impressive when it finally flowers after 10 to 15 years, producing a large floral stem adorned with small yellow flowers. The Dasylirion longissimum, which is very similar, has a multitude of long flexible leaves resembling reeds, gathered in a large sphere at the top of a short trunk. Mature specimens flower spectacularly, producing a massive floral spike that can reach over 4m (13ft) in height. The Dasylirion glaucophyllum has a remarkably architectural silhouette and carries a ball of beautiful glaucous green colour on top of a short trunk.

The Dasylirions are very trendy in dry gardens or contemporary-style gardens. They can be grown in open ground in arid and poor, even limestone, soil, as well as in pots, and they thrive in full sun.