Puya venusta
coastal purple puya
An evergreen, bromeliad forming clumps of rosettes of narrow greenish to silvery-grey leaves edged with sharp, inward-pointing teeth. Mature plants produce branching red flower stems in summer that arise from the centre of the leaf rosette bearing clusters of three-petalled, tubular, blue-purple flowers with reddish-pink bracts
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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Grey Silver Green | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Blue Purple Red Pink | Grey Silver Green | ||
Autumn | Grey Silver Green | |||
Winter | Grey Silver Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Bromeliaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Puya are evergreen, terrestrial, perennial herbs with leathery, typically spiny, leaves forming dense rosettes. Native to Central and South America
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Chile
How to grow
Cultivation
Under glass grow in terrestrial bromeliad compost in full light. Water moderately when in active growth in mid-spring to late summer and apply a low nitrogen fertiliser every 6-8 weeks. In warm, sheltered gardens grow plants outdoors in a sunny spot in sharply draining soil and protect from winter wet
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown at 19-24°C as soon as ripe
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
- City and courtyard gardens
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Gravel garden
- Patio and container plants
- Sub-tropical
- Low Maintenance
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to scale insects
Diseases
Susceptible to root rots in wet soils
Get involved
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