An interesting an unusual cross of (chlorophylla x fasciculata) by Bill Timm. A colorful and robust hybrid with the foliage of the fasciculata parent, and an inflorescence heavily influenced by the chlorophylla parent. The resulting cross is much more robust and easy to care for than the chlolophylla which is a more mesic plant. This one is more xeric in nature and thrives in ‘normal’ Tillandsia culture. 

The foliage is long and slender in a gracefully arching rosette shape and is silvery with trichomes. The inflorescence is a tall scape with ten or more glossy red branches and long bracts which are more leaf-like and grayish. The flowers are long and tubular, two-tone white and purple.

A large and showy cross of (variabilis x capitata 'Yellow') by Bill Timm. The plant can reach over 24 inches across in an open rosette shape with strappy, green leaves dusted with silver trichomes. The inflorescence is very tall, can exceed 24 inches and is yellowish with up to ten upright branches and long, narrow, leaf-like scape bracts. The overall look is pinkish to reddish-orange with yellowish sepals tipped in red. Flowers are long and tubular, bluish-purple.

A nice hybrid by Paul Isley of bulbosa x ionantha.

A hybrid of (capitata x streptophylla). An extraordinary beauty that takes on a bulbous shape with wide, recurving, curling leaves coated with silvery scurf.

The inflorescence is fairly short with long, curling scape bracts and a tightly clustered head of red branches and light blue flowers. The whole plant takes on a reddish-peach blush at anthesis. A choice plant. 

A stunning and rare form of this otherwise common and widespread species. Normally a green plant that blushes with an all over red coloration when in bloom. This form is similar in all aspects, except that it blushes bright yellow instead of red, and has white flowers instead of purple. An outstanding addition to any collection. Keep in bright indirect light. Brighter light brings stronger coloration at anthesis. Not suited for full sun.

This larger growing species is a rock dwelling saxicole in its native Jalisco, Mexico habitat. A wide spreading rosette of 3/4 inch wide, leathery leaves blushes bright red in strong light. At anthesis the capitate head of red bracts rises well above the foliage, is bright red with blue flowers. A very showy plant and prized by collectors. Can be grown mounted or potted in a well-draining media.

The granddaddy of fragrant Tillandsias. Native to Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina where the trees in the arid Chaco are filled with this weird and wonderful, highly fragrant species. Having seen many thousands growing wild, I would have to call the plant a ‘vining’ species. The stem may grow to several feet long in older specimens and the leaves reach out and twist into tight curls at the tips. In nature, it may actually climb to the uppermost part of a tree in a few seasons, and many treetops are brimming with dozens of specimens reaching out into space.

The inflorescence is simple or may be branched but bears many very large purple flowers. The fragrance is very strong and a single specimen can perfume an entire garden. Does not root as an adult, so it must be attached with glue or wires to a mount. Best results may come from suspending the plant from a string or wire and hanging it in a bright airy spot. Easiest of all the fragrant Tillandsias to cultivate.

Many years ago I acquired my first specimen of this fine Tillandsia from Fred Fuchs, famed orchid collector and explorer, and never dreamed that I would ever see it growing wild. Years later our explorations took us to the arid scrub forests of western Ecuador and northern Peru where this plant was abundant, often in the crowns of towering Bombax trees.

A beautiful species with rather thin, very dark gray, stiff, almost brittle leaves in a symmetrical open rosette that can reach 18 inches across.

The inflorescence, a tall spike with a cluster of short branches, develops slowly, becoming vivid lacquer red and lasting in color for months.

A plant of some mystery. Central American forms of concolor are still offered as acostae, as are some forms of fasciculata. In fact, I am not certain that anyone really knows what exactly Tillandsia acostae is. This species is now considered to be rhomboidea, though we also have that species and this one is different in some ways.

Our plants came from Costa Rica many years ago. At the time we showed the plants to Prof. Dr. Werner Rauh who gave us the name. Over the years we have never seen another ‘real’ acostae, and I guess we never will as it is now not recognized. It is a compact, stiff leaved plant with a dark orange, inflorescence with four or more branches that are almost oval in cross section. Rather slow growing but worth the wait!