PUYA. Costa Rica to Chile. This is one of those plant groups which simply stand apart from the rest of our experience. Its members are terrestrial bromeliads, like the pineapple, but far more dramatic. They form tight—though often extensive—colonies of shoots, each of which lasts for many years. Each presents a crown of long, downcurved, pointed leaves reminiscent of the yuccas (though not so succulent). They have often viciously spiny margins. At some point, which may vary from a couple of years to thirty or more, a given crown will produce a flowering stem which first suggests a giant asparagus, often later widely branched, along which several to hundreds of showy, tubular to flaring blossoms unfurl in succession. Their colors include some incredible turquoise and aqua shades, as well as reds, pinks, yellows and whites, often in interesting combinations. These are dramatic specimens for featured spots in the garden, though they combine well with yuccas, agaves and cacti. They are also good candidates for large tubs (though handling them at repotting time is an exercise in bloodletting). They thrive in sun or light shade and well drained soil, with moderate to infrequent watering. Their hardiness varies, but several perform well near the coast.

alpestris. Chile. The best-known of the puyas, with densely clustered crowns of silvery green 2' leaves. The crowns branch freely to form broad clumps. In spring and summer older plants produce thick 3-6' stems bearing huge clusters of triangular blossoms up to 2" broad. These are painted deep bluish green, with orange anthers.Our latest material may actually be of a separate species, having fewer, more tubular flowers about 3" long. Hardy to 15-20^oF.

coerulea. I admired this plant for many years at the U. C. Botanical Garden in Berkeley before Larry Lee, at the Garden, kindly sent us several flats’ worth of seeds. It is only slightly larger growing than P. alpestris and similar overall. However, the crowns are even greyer, sometimes nearly white, with tiny hairs. The flowering stalk is well branched, carrying dozens of dark blue 2" blossoms, held erect along the stems.  Probably hardy to 20^oF.

coquimbensis. This is surely one of the most dramatic of a bold group. The rosettes look like bizarre birds’ nests or baskets, with long, glossy green leaves that curve back almost to touch their bases. In place of the close rows of marginal spines seen in many puyas, they have large, widely spaced though viciously spine-tipped, triangular teeth. I am still searching for information regarding the flowers. Assume 25^oF. for hardiness until it is better tested.

mirabilis. This species is widely sold as P. alpestris (in fact, this is how we received the seeds), but it is quite distinct. There are many more leaves per crown, and they are quite narrow. Their soft marginal spines should be a relief to those of you who have bloodied yourselves with other puyas. Many plants flower in their third year (most unusual for a puya). The flower stems are erect and up to 5’ high. Instead of the broad, branched clusters of P. alpestris, the flowers are arranged individually along the main axis. They are quite long–3-4"–flaring out at the tips. Their color is a beautiful sea-green, and their surface silky. About 20^oF.