Wow, Bromeliads!
February 25, 2016
Looking for low-impact landscaping that adds color and drama to your garden design? Look at the WOW FACTOR you can achieve with a collection of Bromeliads! What’s especially cool about these epiphytic phenoms is that you can select varieties to fit most any micro-climate in your yard, and they require little to no effort on your part to maintain!
The trick is to lean on the Florida Friendly principle of Right Plant/Right Place. Light level, size, and care requirements are your need-to-knows. We showcase our Bromeliads in a way that lets you know what type of lighting they like. Some varieties will tolerate sun, and others require shade.
Be sure to ask how large the plant will get and how quickly it will get there. Keep in mind that one of the reasons these plants need very little care is that they “collect” their own water. So if you tuck them up under the eave of your house (where the rain doesn’t fall) you may need to spray them down from time-to-time. Also, be sure to keep the cups free from debris and don’t let fertilizer collect in these vessels as you will surely incite an overgrowth of algae. We are often asked about the standing water in a Bromeliad cup and customers wonder if it will provide a habitat for mosquito breeding. This is not likely to be problematic in a small collection. However, because of the volume of “skeeters” associated with a bigger collection, consider putting large beds of Bromeliads out away from seating areas.
You will also want to plan on weeding periodically followed by an application of mulch. Remember to wear long sleeves and gloves, perhaps even leather, to protect yourself from being scratched as you work among the Bromeliad leaves. At Pinder’s we specialize in Bromeliad plants that are well-suited for use in the landscape. No reason to pay “florist quality” prices if it is going out into your yard!
Marvin loves Bromeliads, and we have so many to fall for! Starting now and for the next several weeks, we will offer a sale a week! It’s the perfect time to expand your collection or to finally start adding the cool simplicity of Broms to your garden.