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Gardening in the UK

Can anyone identify this?

20 years ago

Hi,

Can anyone identify this. I bought it last spring as a houseplant, but it grew too quickly so I put it out in the garden and it has formed a clump 2 metres across.

It seems quite frost hardy - prob to -5 or so! It has already yaken the most severe frost we have had here in 20 years, but I think in my garden, that was only -1 or -2 poss as it is in the most exposed area.

Flowers in spring.

http://www.celtlore.co.uk/garden/backgarden/whatsthis.jpg

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Comments (4)

fluffygrue
20 years ago
Hm! To me it looks remarkably like a Billbergia, a bromeliad. But I wouldn't have guessed they were frost hardy..

If it is, bah, Devon climates..!

Melanie
rubbleshop
Original Author
20 years ago
Thanks Melanie. I've just looked up Billbergia on Google and find my plant is Billbergia nutans.

Ooops! I thought it was some form of grass, especially with the speed it forms giant grass like clumps!

It is very hardy - sure it will go down to -5 C. You may be able to grow it outdoors where you are. It is about as hardy as geraniums! Can you grow them outside over winter where you are?

It is more hardy than edible pineapple and that is fairly tough.

Thanks again.
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fluffygrue
20 years ago
Wow, I'm impressed at your climate! I'm still gradually testing the garden's hardiness, but we do get the occasional -8C here up in Manchester. Geraniums here are iffy - some years they're okay, others not so. :/

Will definitely consider trying one outdoors if I see it going cheap somewhere, though - very impressive clump you have there!

Melanie
simon_h
20 years ago
When was it subject to frost? I had one which I left to get frozen, and it seemed to be okay, but keeled over when it attempted to put on new growth later in the spring. It will withstand some frost if kept dry under unheated glass, but is better grown frost-free and out of full sun, for the best coloured flowers and healthiest, lushest foliage.

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