A giant grower from hybridizer David Fell in Hawaii. This plant is registered as an xVriecantarea but David lists it’s parents as (‘Volcano’s Mist’ x ‘Volcano’s Mist’). ‘Volcano’s Mist’ is an Alcantarea. So, we are confused, where does the Vriesea come in? We are keeping the xVrecantarea name though as that is how the plant was registered with the BSI Cultivar Registrar. 

It looks like a nice clone of Alcantarea imperialis with a leafy rosette of broad leaves, red with a veneer of silver in older plants. Highly decorative, it is popular with landscapers.

*Domestic shipping only

Jim Irvin has a knack with Cryptanthus, (as well as other bromeliads!), and has produced numerous first-class hybrids.  This is one of which he can be proud.  This hybrid, a cultivar of ‘Sweet Tooth’ x ‘Ice Age,’ and a grex mate to ‘Very Cold Tooth,’ is a dark brown, almost black plant with closely spaced cross banding of silver trichomes with dense silver white scurf underneath.  The inch-wide leaves are long and graceful, undulating at the margins in a symmetrical rosette.

*VIPP plants are Offsets

A deep red clone of this beautiful sun tolerant species. Medium sized, to about 20 inches when grown hard, but can get quite large if fed. A very stiff leaved plant in an upright funnelform rosette. Deep rusty red with silvery crossbanding, it is native to the sun-baked sandy coastal plain of Brazil’s Maca region in Rio de Janeiro state, it is rare in cultivation.

A Brazilian native with wide, thick, leathery leaves in a 15 inch, recurving rosette. An unusual gray-blue color, speckled with tiny red dots and bearing an interesting, branched, yellow inflorescence produced in winter make this an attractive species. In spite of the gray, thick leaves, it is a shade grower in nature, living on granite rock cliff faces inside the mountainous Tijuca forest of Rio de Janeiro. A slow grower, excellent for terrariums when small.

*Domestic shipping only

Bold white margins contrast with deep green leaves that blush reddish in strong light. At anthesis the center flushes deep red. Widely popular in landscape use in central and southern Florida.

A medium size grower from Chester Skotak. This one has wide leaves with green edges and cream variegation. The variegation can be wide giving it a medio-picta look. There is a intense veneer of coral red over the leaves. This is a nice clean looking plant.

A lovely plant introduced by Bullis some years ago but without breeder or cross information. It may be a cultivar of chlorosticta x ‘Fireball’; but it is not known for sure. A smaller grower to about 12 inches across, with multi-colored leaves that are blotched, banded and speckled with shades of yellow and green over a red background. With maturity the center develops whitish blotches on the leaves and in the center. A choice, colorful plant that is a favorite of hybridizers.

*VIPP plants are 1/2 grown

A neat miniature, stoloniferous, clumping species that matures at less than 6 inches tall. Its gracefully curving, slightly speckled leaves form a bulbous base and a 10 inch flower spike with light red, white tipped bracts. Discovered near Parati in Rio de Janeiro state of Brazil and described in 1980, it is a native of low, wet rainforest where it grows as an epiphyte. An easy to grow yet rare collector item. Superior for terrariums.

*VIPP plants are large Offsets

A medium size hybrid from Chester Skotak maxing out at 18 inches across. As the plant matures it develops a hot magenta pink veneer. With the leaf edges being a cream color, the veneer becomes more intense. This plant looks like it could be the reverse of Neo. Backstabber.

(‘Pink Sensation’ x ‘Royal Burgundy‘) A stunning cross by Grant Groves. Wide leaves in a symmetrical rosette have the pattern of ‘Royal Burgundy’, some speckling and blotching, but the coloration of ‘Pink Sensation‘. Outstanding in every way.

*VIPP plants are Offsets

A choice form that should be registered. (Maybe we will). Depending on how it’s grown, can be very ampoule-shaped with short leaves or a little more open in a vase shape. Green with dark reddish brown banding, stronger on the undersides of the leaf. Grows on short stolons, forming attractive clumps and perfect for mounting or for decorative containers or baskets.

*VIPP plants are Offsets

This stunning large cross of Dyckia platyphylla x ‘Carlsbad‘ has many spiny arching leaves in a rosette to well over 18 inches. One of the most colorful of Dyckia hybrids, it has reddish/brown leaves in full sun or a deep burgundy color in lower light.