Make a point with spiky plants
Bayonet-like leaved plants add punch and emphasis to an exotic planting display
The right plant in the right place can make a real impact in the garden, drawing the eye into the planting scheme. Spiky-leaved plants are great for this and three of the most commonly available are phormium, cordyline and yucca. They’re all perennial, require full sun and good drainage but need little attention.
Many yuccas are hardy and provide shapely foliage plants with bluish green, blade-like leaves and eventually white flowers. The variety ‘Ivory’ produces spectacular spikes growing to as much as 2m (6ft 6in) in height. ‘Bright Edge’ and ‘Golden Sword’ are less vigorous but have lovely golden variegations.
Phormiums come in a bewildering range of colours, from the golden-leaved ‘Yellow Wave’, through pinks and reds with varieties
such as ‘Jester’ to purples and even ‘Platt’s Black’. Species such as Phormium tenax and the dark leaved ‘Purpureum’ make huge 2m (6ft 6in) plants with towering flower spikes. Although a little less hardy than yuccas, they’re only damaged in the toughest of winters. If they lose colour over time, trim hard back to ground level in spring. The classic Cordyline australis will make a small, spiky tree and is sometimes called a cabbage palm. It eventually produces white, scented flowers. That and the bronze- leaved form are fairly hardy. Many modern varieties such as ‘Torbay Dazzler’ and ‘Pink Stripe’ are less hardy but have vividlycoloured foliage. To be safe, grow them in pots and move to a cool greenhouse or sheltered location for winter.