Goin’ Wild with Bromeliads
Bromeliads have an allure about them that peaks the senses.
It creates a curiosity about what they are, an excitement about their colors and patterns, where they come from and an urgency to have one or two, or a dozen. They create the same kind of fascination that creeps up on me when I visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium and wander from window to window peering into the undersea world of amazing fish and sea life… or visit a jewelry/gem store and look at all the beautiful precious stones in all their brilliant array of colors.
Their origination is quite interesting. They come from the tropics of Central America. Deep in the jungles they grow by anchoring roots in the trees, on branches and rocky cliffs. If you ever watched one of my favorite old movies “Medicine Man” starring Sean Connery, you will remember he was doing experiments with Bromeliads and Tillandsias to see if he could find medicinal properties. Just picture a humid jungle filled with tall trees, the sound of birds, and monkeys, and these amazing and varied Bromeliads adding to the drama of the wildness before you. They have come a long way from the first ones I remember in the houseplant section of a nursery or market in the 70’s. Now, the varieties and colors are wild with brilliance and patterns. I can easily see falling in love and collecting these amazing specimens. When I see them displayed, as we do in our shade house here at Waterwise Botanicals it’s like looking at a living art gallery.
When we visit Morro Bay, we often visit an old book store I can get lost in…I wander and browse and explore until I’ve lost track of time. On one of our visits there I wandered out the back door and found a living wall of Bromeliads in their quiet little garden. It was beautiful…and also created an excitement within the peaceful citadel of this garden. We make it a point to visit that spot when we go to the book store, quietly tucked into a side street of eclectic shops and restaurants in this picturesque coastal community.
Some years ago, we met a collector of Bromeliads in Dana Point, CA. Chris Lutz had moved into a home that already had a small collection of Bromeliads. He discovered a fascination for them and created his own jungle paradise around his property that included a 130-year-old Olive tree. I remember it was huge and covered most of his backyard. He told us his story of finding, loving and creating with Bromeliads. They were in the ground, planters, and even in the tree, along with Spanish moss, Tillandsias, and hanging garden art that appealed to him and accented the Bromeliads. It was a wonderland to say the least, abounding in colors, sizes, and intermingled with succulents in his “jungle.” I found it enchanting and intriguing.
It’s hard not to fall into the allure of Bromeliads with their splash of colors, and patterns. It’s like wanting to try all the flavors at an ice cream shop! How do you choose your favorite? I don’t think you can. It’s that simple.
These beauties are related to the Pineapple. They need to be planted in soil that drains well and need a light, liquid fertilizer when feeding. Water the soil lightly, as well as the cup in the center of the leaves. Handle with care as the leaves have a bit of a bite and can irritate the skin. A shirt with long sleeves will help you enjoy caring for your Bro’s.
We have just added a special Shade House for growing our landscape selection of Bromeliads here at Waterwise Botanicals.
It is breathtaking; however, it is for growing and cultivating only. As they become ready for sale, they are moved over to our retail Shade House where you can enjoy finding and choosing your own to take home with you.
Bromeliads come in sun-loving varieties and shade loving, as well as blending quite nicely with succulents for an exotic/tropical look.
They’ll create a pop of color or interest in that shady area where most succulents don’t always do well. Adding a few intermingled could be a wonderful look. I think it would be easy, or just plain fun to go crazy with creativity as you design them into your garden, but make sure their care and needs make them compatible neighbors as you go “Wild With Bromeliads.”
Enjoy our slide show below to see a glimpse of our new
“Shade House” and Chris Lutz’s “Jungle Garden.”
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