Old spiky

Bromeliads are pineapple relatives and there are quite a few that are hardy in the UK if sited well. We grow this one, Ochagavia carnea, and a couple of Fascicularia species too. These are from Chile. You need to keep your hands well away from the spiky foliage! This species is pollinated in the wild by humming birds, I believe.

This species has quite a spectacular flower for a hardy bromeliad, being around 4 inches across. The yellow stamens are just beginning to emerge in this picture - maybe I should have waited a couple more days, but I'll be away until Thursday night at the NTS Head Gardeners' Meeting in Pitlochry and wanted to make sure of it.