Dear all,

I haven't posted for a while, but thought you may like to hear how I have got on growing a number of bromeliads in my garden in South London.

Part of the problem was getting hold of plants. After some careful tracking, and knowing a few people who have also developed an interest in cold hardy bromeliads, I've managed to test a few outside.

Of the Aechmeas, I have had most success with A.recurvata varieties;

A.recurvata v.recurvata (flowering now!)

A.'Sueños' (flowering now!)

A.recurvata v.ortgiesii

A.recurvata v.benrathii

A.'Covata'

A.'Aztec Gold'

Something labelled Aechmea gamosepala has also survived a few winters. It hasn't flowered yet, but the foliage is completely different to some true gamosepala that is being trialled this winter.

I have a few more Aechmea species that I will gradually plant out.

Billbergia nutans has lived in a tree hollow for about 6 years or so, and flowers every year.

B.distachia has survived a couple of winters, as has Billbergia 'Santa Barbara'

Also growing happily outside is Tillandsia bergeri and T.bergeri 'Large Form'. Fascicularias, Ochagavia carnea, Greigia sphacelata, Puya coerulea also seem to do well here.

I have a few Dyckias, and plan to add more to the collection. I have D.'Chaguar' which is being trialled this winter, D. velascana has survived one winter. A recent purchase is D.remotiflora v.montevidensis which is supposed to be hardy.

I have a few to test still, and many that can be used seasonally in the garden. All in all, I am very pleased to be able to grow this range of plants in this part of the world! I'd love to be able to grow Neos and some of the more tender species outside all year round, but I'll have to make do with creating seasonal displays.

I have big plans for the garden this year, so will be posting pictures on here at some point...Watch this space!

Best regards,

Rob