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Although this could very well be a picture of me finding a new treasure at a favorite nursery, it's actually an illustration by David Catrow for a children's book called Plantzilla.

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Bromeliads for Foliage Follow-Up

Finally, a Foliage Follow-Up post that's not totally random as mine usually are.  I decided to feature some bromeliads this month. I know the names of a few but mostly they came with out labels and I've not cared enough to identify them.

It's a good thing to know which ones need sun to produce more vibrant colored leaves.  I don't so am experimenting.  This one was nice and bright even in partial shade.

The vibrant red tips of this one faded in the same position.

Better with a bit more light.

Seems fine in the shade.

Please forgive the fallen leaves and blooms from surrounding plants.  They'll get a good vacuuming before they come in for the winter.  This was a very deep purple earlier in the year but a season in the shade has taken away much of that coloration.  Back into the sun it'll go!


'Fire Ball' in the sun.

Same plant grown in shadier conditions. 


Another growing in very low light. 


'Hallelujah' really wants some sun to color looks it's best. 

Cryptanthus look fine with any exposure.


This poor thing got lost under some bigger plants and was growing with practically no light and little water.


One can understand why a common name for Cryptanthus is Ground Stars.


This foliage was gold with these cool purple bars when it came home a couple of years ago but has changed a bit even though it got fairly decent light.  

Some poor victims got left in the house and either got over or under watered.  Their amazing resilience in my neglectful hands is impressive!




Wait, aren't tillandsias also bromeliads?  Why yes they are but this post is already a bit long so the tillandisas will have to wait for a post of their own.

Foliage Follow-Up is hosted by Pam at Digging on the day after bloom day each month to remind us of the important role foliage plays in our gardens.  Be sure to check out her blog to see what other leaf -lovers are posting on their blogs!

15 comments:

  1. You have quite an interesting collection! They are great plants, aren't they? They take abuse and it doesn't even faze them. I burned a couple with too much sun the first time I bought some, but they managed quite well after I moved them to shade.

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  2. You have a great collection of bromeliads! I love the last four. I think I prefer the 'Fireball' grown in shade over the brighter color from sun. The second one from the top looks like it could be Neoregelia 'Shelldance'. I can only guess, but I've spent the last few days obsessively making bromeliad wishlists (and placing one order) and it's the only one I've come across that has those red margins. Then again, there are so many neoregelias... I'm eagerly awaiting notification that my order has shipped.

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  3. hey, I needed to know this. I still don't think I'm going to be very good with bromeliads. I have 2, and neither is looking that great. thx

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  4. I can't decide whether succulents or bromeliads look more otherworldly. Or maybe it's just that I've gotten used to succulents, whereas bromeliads are still largely unknown in my garden. I do have one! It was a gift, and somehow I've managed to keep it watered enough to keep it alive. Anyway, thanks for showing off your collection for foliage day!

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  5. Wow, you've got a huge collection...and they're all so beautiful. I especially like the bright gold one in the blue container with the little grassy (?) bits.

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  6. I'm so amazed with how many different colors and forms bromeliads come in. A great collection! That wavy-edged red one is awesome!

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  7. Magnificent broms - I really like the ground stars - I brought my broms under cover this last winter, but they still managed to die in the cold. I am hoping that the warmer weather will revive the poor things. Is your greenhouse heated?

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    1. The greenhouse is heated and I try to keep it no lower than 50F/10C. I didn't think that there were many broms that could withstand frost.

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  8. I know very little about Bromeliads, except that I enjoy seeing them when I travel to the South. I suppose I could grow some in pots here and bring them inside for the winter, but I've had mixed results with potted plants. I enjoyed seeing your collection!

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  9. I think you might be giving Deanne a run for her money !

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  10. I knew you had some bromeliads but you have BROMELIADS! I love the one shown in the last 2 photos - that variety always makes be think it's etched in hieroglyphics.

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  11. You have a huge collection of Bromeliads! I enjoy seeing them in tropical houses and conservatories, but have not been tempted to raise them myself.

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  12. Lots of lovely foliage, you have so many beautiful plants, who says foliage is boring, not you and not me!

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  13. Love your collection. That's the thing about Bromeliads: you start with one and then another. Soon there's a collection. I was reminded to go look for a Vriesea which I'd moved because of squirrels. You never know what Bromels will do. This one had pups around the perimeter years back that somehow did not make it. A new plant finally grew out of the center. Bizarre.

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  14. Always interesting (if dangerous) to dip into unexplored territory. Thanks (I think).

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Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! I love to hear your thoughts.