Billbergia vittata

Billbergia vittata (16/01/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Indirect bright sun

Flowering period: All year round

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 60cm

Eventual Spread: 30cm

Hardiness: 10a, 10b, 11, 12, 13

Family: Bromeliaceae

Billbergia vittata is an evergreen tropical epiphytic perennial with an upright clump forming habit. Its dark green leaves have radial silver/ grey banding, are lanceolate with black spines along its margins, up to 30cm long and 5cm across. Its leaves are formed into a tubular shaped structure with a central cup or ‘tank. Its purple tipped white tubular flowers appear on a flower stalk which emerges from its ‘tank’ at the centre of the plant, within a significant pink/ purple bract structure. Its roots produce stolons which aids its slow spread and function primarily as anchorage. In addition new plants emerge from its stolons.

Billbergia vittata Leaf (16/01/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Billbergia vittata, commonly known as Banded Billbergia, is native to east Brazil. In its native habitat it grows as a tropical forest understory plant and on tree stems at an altadude of between 1,200m and 1,400m.

The etymological root of the binomial name Billbergia is named for J.G. Billberg (1772–1844), a Swedish botanist. Vittata is derived from the Latin vitta menaing ‘ribbon’, in reference to its striped leaves.

The landscape architect may find Billbergia vittata useful as an attractive foliage houseplant suitable for growing in pots. It may also be used as an effective ground cover plant in atrium type planting schemes. They also may be displayed as epiphytes growing in the forks of trees.

Ecologically, Billbergia vittata is of little value to UK wildlife.

Billbergia vittata Tank (16/01/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Billbergia vittata prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

When maintaining Billbergia vittata as a houseplant its ‘tank’ should be watered regularly. Watering will need to be reduced during the winter months. It should be noted, this plant dislikes calcareous water. Its preferred active growing temperature rages from between 16ºc to 30ºc, although it will tolerate a temperature as low as near freezing for short periods. This plant may be sprayed with water to improve humidity.



Landscape Architecture

Neoregelia concentrica

Neoregelia concentrica (16/01/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Indirect bright sun

Flowering period: All year round

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 60cm

Eventual Spread: 35cm

Hardiness: 10a, 10b, 11, 12, 13

Family: Bromeliaceae

Neoregelia concentrica is an evergreen tropical epiphytic perennial with a clump forming habit. Its mid green leaves are lanceolate with spines along its margins, up to 40cm long and 7cm across. Its white tubular flowers appear from its ‘tank’ at the centre of the plant, within a pink/ purple bract structure. Its roots produce stolons which aids its slow spread.

Neoregelia concentrica Leaf (16/01/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Neoregelia concentrica, commonly known as Neoregelia Bromeliad or Concentric Bromeliad, is native to Brazil. In its native habitat it grows as a tropical forest understory plant and on tree stems.

The etymological root of the binomial name Neoregelia is named for Eduard Albert von Regel (1815 – 1892), a Russian botanist. Concentrica is derived from the Latin concentricus meaning ‘concentric’.

The landscape architect may find Neoregelia concentrica useful as an attractive foliage houseplant suitable for growing in pots. It may also be used as an effective ground cover plant in atrium type planting schemes.

Ecologically, Neoregelia concentrica is of little value to UK wildlife.

Neoregelia concentrica Flower (16/01/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Neoregelia concentrica prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

When maintaining  Neoregelia concentrica as a houseplant its ‘tank’ should be watered regularly. Watering will need to be reduced during the winter months. It should be noted, this plant dislikes calcareous water. Its preferred active growing temperature rages from between 18ºc to 27ºc, although it will tolerate a temperature as low as 10ºc. This plant may be sprayed with water to improve humidity.



Landscape Architecture

Nidularium innocentii

Nidularium innocentii (16/03/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Indirect bright sun

Flowering period: All year round

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 20cm

Eventual Spread: 40cm

Hardiness: 9b, 10a, 10b, 11, 12

Family: Bromeliaceae

Nidularium innocentii is an evergreen tropical epiphytic perennial with a clump forming habit. Its dark green leaves have purple stripes along their length, are lanceolate with spines along its margins, up to 30cm long and 5cm across. Its white tubular flowers appear from its ‘tank’ at the centre of the plant, within a red bract structure. Its roots produce stolons which aids its slow spread.

Nidularium innocentii Leaf (16/03/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Nidularium innocentii, commonly known as Nidularium Bromeliad, is native to Brazil. In its native habitat it grows as a tropical forest understory plant.

The etymological root of the binomial name Nidularium is derived from the Latin nidus meaning ‘nest’. Innocentii is named after the Marquis de Saint-Innocent.

The landscape architect may find Nidularium innocentii useful as an attractive foliage houseplant suitable for growing in pots. It may also be used as an effective ground cover plant in atrium type planting schemes.

Ecologically, Nidularium innocentii is of little value to UK wildlife.

Nidularium innocentii Tank (16/03/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Nidularium innocentii  prefers moist, humus rich well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

When maintaining  Nidularium innocentii as a houseplant its ‘tank’ should be watered regularly. Watering will need to be reduced during the winter months. Its preferred active growing temperature rages from between 16ºc to 24ºc, although it will tolerate a temperature as low as 0ºc.



Landscape Architecture