Tillandsia, Aechmea, Guzmania, Billbergia, Neoregelia. These are just some of the plants that fall into the spectacular group of plants known as Bromeliads. They are native to the American continents and introduced to Europe by Christopher Columbus at the end of the fifteenth century. There are records through fossils of certain types of bromeliads dating back 30 million years. It is thought they may date back as far back as 60 million years.

As there are so many varieties of Bromeliads, you could be forgiven for not knowing the names of them. However, once you start to buy a few and see how great they are you will start to learn the different names. Otherwise, you could easily go to a nursery and ask a horticulturist to show you what type they stock and ask about their growing conditions. Some species will take more sun whilst others love the shade.

Now if you are a resident of Sydney then you are really in luck. There are many varieties of bromeliads available and they can be grown in a range of gardens.

Tropical gardens in particular would not be complete without the addition of a Bromeliad.

If you have a computer you can type the names of the plants into a search engine and look at the images you will be amazed by the varieties and the colours. There are over 3,000 species of Bromeliads so you really have a lot to choose from. I have to say I absolutely love them.

If you really want to add a splash of colour to a shaded garden then you will have great success if you go with Bromeliads as they come in an array of foliage colours.

Neoregelia varieties have the most spectacular colours in their foliage with spotty, speckled or striped patterns that can vary from cream, lime and burgundy through to red and hot pink.

Guzmanias send up their spectacular showy flowers often in brilliant red or pink that in some cases last for months

Tillandsias come in a variety of shapes and sizes, probably one of the better known may be Tillandsia usneoides commonly known as "Old Man's beard" or "Spanish shawl" which like soft grey hairy foliage that could resemble an old man's beard as it hangs from trees. Or Tillandsia lindenii"Pink Quills" that has pink floral bracts that send out deep purple flowers

Billbergias have pendulous foliage and can flower intermittently throughout the year and are easy to cultivate

Aechmeas are long flowering and also have eye catching flowers. They are easy to cultivate and some of the smaller varieties can be attached to tree trunks to make a show. Tree ferns and palm trees are excellent hosts.

Ideal conditions for growing them are generally filtered sunlight with protection from string winds and good drainage. They can be grown in gardens or in pots. I usually grow them in pots and place the pots in the garden. This enables me to move them around when they are in flower as well as making it easy when the plants produce new plants (these are called pups) to lift the pots, remove the plant and take off the pups and place them into new pots with fresh soil. Bromeliads make great indoor plants.

Care must be taken to ensure they have a good draining potting mix which contains course materials. Suitable potting mixes are available from good garden centres

Watering is easy as they actually like to be watered through the 'cup' which is the centre of the plant. Of course they require more water in summer usually twice per week but in water may only require watering once per week. This also varies on the variety. Make sure the cup is always full

Did you know?

A pineapple is a Bromeliad it is called Ananas comosus and in fact was the plant taken to Spain by Christopher Columbus