#hardybromeliad

[iplantsman]

Fasicularia bicolor (Crimson Bromeliad) is today’s unusual Chilean, surprisingly hardy exotica and subsequently our #oneadayplant . Another great pic that my mum @carey_gal took @cambo_gardens today. Reason being, 1. It’s an exciting pic, 2. It’s an exciting plant. 3. Mine is dead. I drowned it by accident last winter. To be replaced. . It is pretty temperature hardy (-10•c), but probably does better as an epiphyte (plant growing in a tree, or without soil on a branch), than it does in pots in UK winters. If in pots, ensure free drainage and don’t allow the crown to be too deep in the compost/soil to avoid rotting (mine died as the drainage in the pot blocked. Sad times ☹️) . I’m going to grow as an epiphyte in a tree going forward, or on some driftwood. Watch this space. . Anyway, what to know... Does well in sun and best watered with rainwater. The Red appears and intensifies as the flower opens at the centre of each rosette in autumn (pictured in bud). The flower is a dense cluster of vibrant, cobalt blue, with yellow stamens. Each flower isn’t very impressive, but the cluster is fun and set against the red is particularly striking. Otherwise, you have a thin, grasslike evergreen, leaf which is coarsely toothed to the touch. Over time it develops more rosettes of foliage and therefore more colour and flower. . It isn’t for everybody, but I think they are great fun and I look forward to one day seeing a tree in the UK adorned with them. . #fasicularia #fasiculariabicolor #bromeliad #bromeliads #bromelia #exotic #exotica #iplantsman #plants #garden #chile #gardening #epiphyte #hardybromeliad #cobalt #blue #flowers #red #leaves #gardeningadvice #plantingdesign #gardendesign #plantingtechniques #gardenista #containergardening #tropicallook #trysomethingnew #evergreen (at Cambo Garden) https://www.instagram.com/p/CF9RGB8gHAL/?igshid=1630ittpdasvm