Puya alpestris
“Sapphire Tower”

photo: gardenwiseguy

Oh, just about the most stunningly exotic silver accent for the temperate dry garden you can possibly grow. Forming 4- to 5' across rosettes of silvery light green recurved and spiny margined leaves, it can eventually spread if you let it to form a thicket (or a barrier for keeping the bad guys out!). Once matured, the astounding flower clusters looking rather like large pineapples appear atop 4-5 erect stems. And that color! Practically nothing like it in the plant world – a deep metallic turquoise green. Add in its contrasting orange anthers and oh my – that's what you call traffic stopping! Though its drought tolerant, it can take considerable water and humidity as well. Avg.-rich well drained soil.

Annie