Puya venusta

Description

Puya venusta is a stunning bromeliad from Chile now rare in the wild this spiky architectural evergreen clump forming plant is a bold feature tolerant of hot sunny conditions and coastal air. The plants tend to form groups up to a metre or so high spectactular enough you would think, but once a year the magic happens and a tall flower spike is produced above the leaves around 150cm high which opens to reveal amazing metallic pinky purple flowers over several months. To add to the scene colourful humming birds then flock round them enjoying the copious nectar they produce.

Best planted in a mild garden as they are only just hardy or grow in a container where they can be brough undercover in winter.