You can't buy broms locally? Those you find locally in nurseries are almost certainly ones you can grow reliably.

Hi James, where do you live in the UK to get such temperatures? Isles of Scilly?

The frost is the most limiting factor in growing bromeliads, with minimums about 35F you should be able to grow a lot of species. Now where to get them?

The common Vriesea hybrids of the Holland flower industry will do well if mounted, they have beautiful spikes. Also Aechmea fasciata should be OK for you.

Tillandsia usneoides can take sever frosts, will surely like it in your location.

Tomas

Hi,
I live in Plymouth, UK. My house is in a south facing warm microclimate. My neighbour is growing schefflera arboricola outside permanently, and it looks really healthy. I can get bromeliads easily, but I just wanted to make sure if they can grow before I plant them. I have planted Ananas comosus, carica papaya and Howea outside and they are doing well (but the howea is getting sunburnt)!
Thanks,
James

Schefflera arboricola can take -3°C with no damage, many of them survived here -7°C. Howea too is quite cold tollerant. Best wishes for your pineapple.

For cold hardiness of bromeliads you can refer to this
http://fcbs.org/articles/cold_sensitivity_of_bromeliads.htm
Those with H 26-28 could potentialy do well for you. Be vary cautious with tillandsias, most of them do not like it wet when it is cold.
Tomas

Hi,
Thanks for your reply. The pineapple has been propagated from a pineapple top, so is not used to direct sun due to it being inside for a while and has been damaged by the sun. It should root though.
Thanks,
James