The Maurelii picture I posted in my last reply was actually an older plant in its third season. The first winter I had it, I did not remove any leaves, left it in its pot, and put it in the corner of my warm, sunny southern-facing windowed living room. It did well that winter and produced new leaves at the same staggering pace all the way up until February, when it just slowed down a bit. That second season, it did not fair as well outside only because its pot had a drainage issue and for whatever reason, I didn't get to it quick enough. It did horribly that second season but clung to life.
That second winter, I left all of its leaves on again, and moved it into a dark, cool basement and it pretty much went dormant (only shot up 1-2 leaves all winter). Now this season, I planted it into the ground for the very first time, in soil with excellent drainage and plenty of sun, and it has flourished. It has also retained that nice full rounded shape that I love about Maureliis and did not pillar like you mentioned (I have seen quite a lot of seasoned Maureliis that have pillared around here). I wonder if leaving the leaves on to die out naturally is the secret to keeping a nice shape.
My 3 year old Maurelii
My first season Maurelii
