Prickly Bears Britches, Acanthus spinosus, is an impressive sight under the almond tree at the eastern end of the Chronological Bed.
An early 17th century introduction to Britain, this clumpforming perennial produces vast basal dark green, deeply-cut leaves from which emerge 1 metre tall, ramrod straight racemes of white flowers framed by purple-maroon spiky, hooded bracts.