Lisaclv...thanks for the link...great pics. I've grown a few kinds,and they all did very well,and are good offset producers,with the original plant holding its shape and color long after it blooms. One of my "easy" growers. There is one I prefer,Ae.'parati',which has a nice shape similar to an Ae.chantinii,and develops a nice purple/red color with silver bars when exposed to a lot of sunshine.The one thing that was a good clue in catkim's post, was how the bloom appeared like overnite. All mine did the same,so I guess its a trait of this particular plant. Surprise !! This aechema could easily be mistaken for a billbergia when young,and before blooming. Bob C.

Wow, that is a surprise! Very beautiful seedling clump. I know that if I saw a clump of Song Writer, that would be my favorite picture here, but your seedling clump is stunning! I'm sure seeing this surprise brightened your day:) Vickie

I was so glad to see this pic this morning, since I just recently planted Navajo Princess and I see what I have to look forward to! Lovely, lovely bloom. Thanks!

Violet, this bed has been planted for several years. The only new addition was the native aster planted a couple of years ago. I have taken lots of pictures of this bed and the aster was never there before. I have had lots of strange things in my gardening year. For instance, I planted my usual white-seeded pole bean Kwintus this year on the hoop house frame. When I did my first picking I saw lots of long, slender, 'round' podded beans along with the flat Roma-like Kwintus. I am letting seeds mature now and the new round one is a light brown color........I had only planted Kwintus last year and besides this was new seed this year. I am assuming Park's source had a cross last season.