WATCH IT GROW
Elegant bromeliad makes its presence known
Posted on Sun, Jan. 06, 2008
By GEORGIA TASKER
Botanical name: Alcantarea odorata
Description: A glorious bromeliad that has blue-green leaves covered in a white powder. Use this as a focal point in your garden, as it looks especially lovely against dark green leaves. Related to the Alcantarea imperialis (once called Vreisea imperialis), this plant and its relatives are large, elegantly formed and eye-catching.
Height: 4 feet by 4 feet
Light: sun to light shade
Culture: While this bromeliad can take full sun, it also benefits from midday shade in our extremely hot summers. Plant so the base of the vase formed by the rosette of leaves is not in the soil. An evenly moist soil is good, so mulch around the plant, but keep mulch from touching it. Sprinkle a small amount of controlled-release fertilizer around the base in the spring and August/September, but don't apply any in winter.
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