Plant of Merit: Fascicularia bicolor is a rainbow of color

Published 1:30 am Saturday, May 27, 2017

What: Fascicularia bicolor is an eye-catching terrestrial bromeliad that is literally a rainbow of color. Its toothed and linear leaves are dark green and it forms sky blue and yellow flowers in the center, which are set in a tight cluster. During the fall, the center leaves turn scarlet red, giving this plant a most exotic appearance. Native to Chile, it is a perfect plant for containers in well-drained soil. Although hardy down to 20 degrees, this perennial bromeliad does not hold up well in our wet winters. Store it in a greenhouse or garage during the winter with sufficient light and water once per month.

Sun/shade: Morning and early afternoon sun would be the best choice.

Size: It will be 24 inches tall in about five years.

Find it: Call your local full service nurseries or check www.stevesupergardens.com.

Learn more: Whether you are planting bromeliads indoors or outdoors, there is much to learn. A good source is the book “Bromeliads for the Contemporary Garden” by Andrew Steens.

See them on display: in the Bromeliad House at the Volunteer Park Conservatory, 1400 E. Galer St., Seattle.

— Sandra Schumacher