good luck with your search

You've got two different species names on all of the Vrieseas. Do you mean hybrids of V. atra and all of those other species?

How far "north" in North TX are you? If you are above zone 8b, even "hardy" bromeliads might be at best marginal there for you.

I am going to caution you, you really need to **rethink** about planting either bromelia balansae or the pinquin variety out, even if it is hardy for you.

These form HUGE clumps 5-6 ft tall and are not really suitable for the average homeowner yard.

They have been used before in Australia and around the prison at Guantanamo as "living fences" as they are impenetrable. Much worse than razorwire. You will get severely cut up if you happen to fall into your plants. They are about the only things here that the deer and wild boar avoid.

I started with 2 small plants 4 years ago and now have a stand that measures about 7-8ft x 4-5 ft and stands 5 or so ft tall. Luckily I have 5 acres, but I am going to have to find a way to keep them from spreading any further. I tried mowing the edges with the John Deere to cut down the small pups but it didn't work, only chance is to start digging them and they are VICIOUS