Puya alpestris

This pineapple relative (Bromeliad family) is absolutely amazing. It doesn’t form an edible fruit but the flowers will have you salivating! The color of the flower is one of the most unusual colors I have ever seen. It is an intense other-wordly blue that contrasts well with the orange stamens. The plant forms 3-5’ clumping rosettes of thin grass-like leaves that have spines along the edges. The spines are sharp, so plant away from walkways. Or plant in an area where you need a barrier. The flower spike is about 6’ tall and the branches have flowerless tips that act as perches for hummingbirds that pollinate the flowers. Native to Mediterranean areas of Southern Chile. Drought tolerant and provide good drainage. Hardy to 20-25° F.

Kelly Kilpatrick
Propagator