Looking down into the cup formed by the leaves I was surprised to see this...
I bought this bromeliad labeled as a Neoregelia hybrid.
Since I'm no expert that's what I've always believed it to be.
But this strange bloom has be thinking otherwise. After all to the best of my knowledge Neoregelia blooms happen within the cup, you have to look down to see the tiny flowers. This one was definitely not staying put.
After a little research (the book Bromeliads for the Contemporary Garden once again proving to be extremely valuable) I've decided this is actually a Billbergia, perhaps B. brasiliensis.
Watching the bloom spike grow has been very entertaining.
We missed a few days since we went away for Christmas...
But thankfully bromeliad blooms go on for days. The first picture was taken on December 21st, this one on the 28th...
If the container the plant is in wasn't so large I'd haul it upstairs where I could better appreciate the show.
This photo is from New Years Eve. I keep waiting for the blue bits to open and curl back...
Finally! A New Years Day gift...
I think this is a sign it's going to be a very good year in the garden.
All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
Hooray! What a great gift for the new year! You're right, this will be the best year ever in the garden, the rest of the year will be mild and spring and summer will be warm! I'm glad you've correctly read the bromeliad bloom sign! These mild and sunny days we've been having are giving me a little case of spring fever. I really want to go out and play in the garden!
ReplyDeleteYou're still on break right? Why not enjoy a little garden time!? (we've not been having sunny days but at least a few sunny breaks, they are very welcome)
DeleteIt's definitely a Billbergia. It's beautiful! What a nice surprise.
ReplyDeleteThe nursery where I bought it isn't real serious about their signage and labeling (since it isn't normally open to the public) so I guess I shouldn't be too surprised. At least I'm getting better about identifying my bromeliads!
DeleteI can't help with the ID, but it always good to get a bit of colour in your over-wintering area. Good flower as well.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, a touch of the tropics is always welcome, especially in January.
DeleteWhat a beauty! I bought a Billbergia this past summer, and I can't wait till it blooms.
ReplyDeleteThey do seem to be a bloomerific bunch so I doubt you'll have to wait too long.
DeleteWow, gorgeous! What a Cool thing to see in the dead of winter.
ReplyDeleteNow just imagine if they were growing outside in our gardens this time of year. Wowsa!
DeleteVery nice indeed! I'm almost (ALMOST!) tempted to give houseplants another try :-).
ReplyDeleteBut the best part is they're only houseplants for the winter...
Deletehello, i 've got the same, for me it's billbergia x buchholtzii
ReplyDeleteAh yes, that looks like it!
DeleteWhat a wonderful and exotic surprise...much too elegant to remain relegated to the basement. I think you need one of those little automated seats used by old people to go up and down stairs.
ReplyDeleteMy back agrees with you.
DeleteI love it! bromeliads are so nice! I´ve tried to buy that bromeliad book but it is difficult to find and expensive. It must be a good book. Congratulations for your bloom!
ReplyDeleteWow I just looked at amazon and saw that indeed the prices for the used copies seem to have gone up, and forget the price for a new copy, that's just insane.
DeleteYes, it is, maybe some day...
DeleteThat's a pretty nice surprise in the basement. Pretty bloom.
ReplyDeleteIt does make doing the laundry extra special.
DeleteThat is just a fascinating series of blossom pics. What a cool bloom!
ReplyDeleteToo bad they all turned out a little blurry...
DeleteHow festive! happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you too...
DeleteBilbergia surprise, and a touch of exotica for the winter!
ReplyDeleteAnd with the grey winter we've been having I can certainly appreciate a little exotica!
DeleteWow! It's so cool seeing it step by step. I wasn't expecting that last stage with the blue tips opening up.
ReplyDeleteI was beginning to wonder if they were going to!
DeleteI love Bilbergia, the flowers are just such an amazing color!
ReplyDeleteThey really are! Almost fake in their bright colors.
DeleteVery nice Billbergia flowers.
ReplyDeleteThese pictures are beautifull
Thanks Antho, they're awfully blurry but the best I could do with basement lighting.
DeleteThat is an amazing bloom! Wow! I agree this IS going to be a great gardening year :)
ReplyDeleteYay!!! Now if we could just get started! (more cutting back in the garden today and it was hard to resist the urge to do it all, things I know I should wait on...)
DeleteThe color combination of the flower is something a kindergartner would dream up. Ain't nature amazing?
ReplyDeleteIndeed it is...
DeleteGorgeous bloom with a fantastic combo of colors. That blue is amazing. Hmmm, it is tempting to get into more houseplants....
ReplyDeleteAnd they love being outside in the summer, well, depending on where you live.
DeleteWhoa! Super cool. I love how it just keeps getting better as it unfurls.
ReplyDeleteRight? If it would have stopped part way I would have been happy but more, more, more. Gotta love that.
DeleteI grew Billbergia nutans (Queen's Tears) for many years and always loved seeing the bright pink buds appearing out of the tubes. The blue and yellow striped flowers were awesome too. Such an easy plant to grow indoors.
ReplyDeleteYep, got that one, or rather I did. It was great for years but then became this mass HUGE mass of leaves. I tried to separate the plants but ended up getting frustrated and tossing the whole thing. Not a proud moment. I do miss those beautiful flowers...
DeleteWhat a beautiful surprise! It just keeps unfurling all kinds of beauty doesn't it?
ReplyDelete