One of the most astonishingly beautiful plants to grace our planet, this absolutely exquisite hardy pineapple relative produces rosettes of jagged, pineapple-shaped, silvery-green leaves, from which erupt, when the plant is large enough, stout spikes of exotic,It makes a superb rock garden plant in well drained soil, where it is remarkably hardy and even does well in a container. After flowering that spike dies, but many more basal rosettes are formed for future years. These plants were grown from high altitude seed collected on our 1994 Andean seed-collecting expedition. ... Learn More

Another superb hardy pineapple relative with rosettes of jagged, grey-green leaves. Stout spikes of exotic yellow-green flowers. An excellent container or rockery plant ... Learn More

Puyas are perhaps the hardiest member of the pineapple family, making sensational rosettes of serrated leaves. Spikes of exotic blue-green flowers when mature. Plant in a wall or bank. "Worth the cost and effort to grow this rare plant." (G.S.T.) ... Learn More

A bromeliad from central Chile that forms large groups of rosettes with slender greyish green leaves that are viciously spiny along the margins. The inflorescence is a tall, upright, branched, reddish stalk with bluish-purple flowers. A very easy plant in cultivation, suitable for temperate climates. May need protection in winter. ... Learn More

Possibly the most ornamental of all puyas, its agave-like leaves, formed in clusters of neat rosettes, are attractively dusted with white powder. This king of ornamental puyas originates from high altitudes in the Andes in north western Argentina. When fully mature, magnificent spires of deep blue, orchid-like flowers appear. ... Learn More

Exotic, flaring, lime-green bells, loved by butterflies and bees, open on stiff upright stems which erupt in early spring from relatively small rosettes of thick, spiny foliage. This Bolivian plant is probably the quickest to bloom of all puyas, often in only a year after planting, whereas some puyas can take several years to blossom. In addition it is completely drought tolerant and is quite incredibly frost hardy if kept well-drained and dry. ... Learn More

From 3,000 species of Bromeliads (the pineapple family) this one is the king! After many years of growing a huge rosette of slender leaves, a massive stalk erupts, which can rise to more than 5 metres, and contain countless thousands of ivory-white flowers, each creamy-white blossom being 2 inches (5 cm.) wide, with bright orange anthers. These gorgeous flowers , for a short time, will attract hordes of pollinating insects and butterflies, as well as hummingbirds in warmer climes! It comes from the cool Andean highlands, at about 13,000 feet, so is believed to be frost-tolerant down to about ... Learn More

Spires of almost wax-like, deep reddish-violet flowers arise from a large rosette of saw-toothed leaves when mature. Plant in a wall, bank or well-drained position. ... Learn More