I envy for the space you have, Bob. Next year, I have to move all my collection up stair, as we will build a new house on the front yard. That mean no more room for any messes I would love, except some xeric broms!

You've got an exceptionally eye-appealing yard Bob, especially with the conifers(?) in the back. I too use a 50% shadecloth only for my Tillandsias. My Plumerias and Cherimoyas shade my otherwise "delicate" broms in the warm months. It's a great trade-off, with their foliage protecting the plants in the heat of summer and de-foliating to let the mild sun in the other months. Again, fantastic yard!

Thanks Gonzer. The trees are Pine,three different species,all about 50 to 60 feet tall,on three acres,about half being my lawn and house.The other half is a wooded area of pines and low shrubs.So I have my problems with 'critters'that think they own the place.Racoons love to turn things over,looking for food,so I have to find ways to keep them away from the plants.This I learned the hard way. I keep my more expensive broms in hanging baskets hung from the limbs of a Maple tree high up out of their reach.Nice mottled light there too,so it works out both ways. Until this year,I had a beautiful Japanese Maple that provided shade for the broms.It was located between the house and the walkway [pic#1],but some kind of boreing bug killed it in a matter of weeks,so it had to be removed.That was a heartbreaker,as it was 30 years old and had a perfect shape that drew a lot of comments,especially when the setting sun highlighted the red leaves.Sometimes Mother Nature wins. Bob
PS. for Stephania; How about you keep your collection at my house until the house is finished ? I won't even charge!

I've been growing my broms under 40% shadecloth suspended above a 27' x 18' structure during the summer months. I also have some trees that cast additional shade during part of the day, so I have areas for shade lovers and sun lovers alike. Bob, I admire the landscaping in your yard! Very attractive indeed! I also share your frustration with the deer. Though they haven't made it in to the shadehouse, they recently mutilated some hostas and dahlias in my yard. This summer for the first time, rabbits have been nibbling on some of my ground level broms. I was upset, although not surprised, at the damage they caused to Neos and Vrieseas. Oh well, they'll recover and grow out of it. The damage to a couple of Dyckias was a bit more shocking. I never would have imagined them to be so tasty!
I haven't yet learned how to place pictures in a post. If anyone can give me suggestions, I'd like to share some photos, too. Paul

Thanks Bob!!!
Hi Paul, due to my poor english, this would be better for you to see, how to post pic.

Here is a link that might be useful: How to post pic

I finally used up all the shady spots in my small garden, but continued adding plants, so hoisting some shadecloth was inevitable. It's changed an area that was a hot-spot at noon to a comfortable environment for my potted broms -- and for people! I'll try to take and post some pics this weekend when I have time.

Bob, I envy the natural green-ness of your garden, it's luxuriant! What is your annual rainfall?

catkim. I'm really not aware of our annual rainfall number.Its often too much or too little tho.This year has been near perfect,just enough to keep everything green,but not soggy. Most rain has been via thunderstorms,perhaps twice a week,with plenty of sunshine and temps in the 80's in between.So the mix has been ideal, and the broms are lovin' it. I've yet to do any hose watering this year,and its been a little like Florida weather thus far,downpours,followed by sunshine and humidity.Our Western New York area has a rep for being a snow belt with cool summers,but the obvious change in weather patterns over the last five years,has surely changed that.Mostly mild winters,and warm to hot summers has been more the norm. And I hope it stays that way. I've visited your area,and love the climate there,tho I can do without the 100+ days you occasionally get. Whew ! I look forward to your picture posts...Bob

Thanks for the link Stephania. I'm looking forward to being able to share some pics. This first one is an overview of my shadehouse, looking toward the southeast. You'll notice that I have an additional piece of 30% shadecloth that I use on the southern 1/3 of the structure. {{gwi:491033}} The second photo is a close up view of a portion of the shadehouse. {{gwi:491034}}

Paul,very nice set up ! Wow,my racoons would love that 'jungle jim' playground ! Your surrounding yard looks similar to mine,tall shade trees.I was going to construst one like yours at first thought,but realized that the animals would use it as a picnic area while I slept,so went with the 8'x12'units close to the house,where they are less likely to roam. Very nice bromeliad collection you have. I have about the same amount,and before the cold weather arrives,will donate about half to our local
Botanical Gardens.
I'll keep some Dyckias,Hechtias, Ortho's, Billbergia, Cryptanthus,and Vriesea,plus a few odds and ends of other genera.Just running out of room indoors.Thanks for the photo post,always interesting to see what others do. Bob

Bob's 'hanging gardens'.As mentioned in the previous post above[#3]? ...This is how I keep the better bromeliads out of the reach of deer and racoons,and they get good light too. Had a lot more here earlier this year,but relocated them to better lighting as the sun is heading back South again.
{{gwi:491035}}
[Sorry,photo did'nt reduce in size this time]

My disease is nowhere near as entrenched as Bob's and Paul's, but shadecloth is needed, so this summer it went up in June.
1) You can see the shadecloth attached to pre-existing beams between the house and garage.
2) Photo with more light showing plants!
3) Happy plants.
{{gwi:491036}}

{{gwi:491037}}

{{gwi:491040}}

Still in the works are a trellis on the wall in the right of the pics for Thunbergia mysorensis to climb, baskets of broms to be hung from the beams, and some shelving or plant stands to elevate some of the collection for better viewing.
Oh! And more bromeliads!!

Very nicely done ! When the 'disease' takes full control,you'll sell the car,knock down the garage,and build some kind of greenhouse for MORE PLANTS !
ps,nice photos and plants.

Ha ha, I went through the "disease" phase years ago. I'm kind of in remission these days, but hanging around with you guys I keep having flare-ups!

Nice job, all of you!