| Spectacular accents for a desert garden, they produce towers of waxy blossoms in unearthly hues of metallic blue-green, navy and red-violet. The largest may have 15-foot trunks and 40-foot flower spikes. Small trunkless species do well in containers. Puyas have developed two flowering strategies to attract different pollinating birds. Some species flower at the tips of short branches, only hovering hummingbirds can easily reach the nectar. The others bloom close to the stalk, with a short branch beneath each flower where perching birds alight to sip in comfort. Puya berteroniana and Puya chilensis use the second strategy. Plant in full sun and well-drained, sandy soil, away from paths where the spiny leaves could stab passersby. Water moderately spring to fall, cutting back in winter. Water container plants before soil dries out. Easy to grow from seeds. Some form suckers that can be divided for new plants. |
The flower spike is loosely pyramidal in shape extending to 12 feet. The white-green to purple flowers grow on one side of the branches.
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Attributes - Puya ferruginea
Plant Type: Succulent
Bloom Season: Late Spring through Mid Summer
Flower Color: Purple, White, Yellow
Foliage: Evergreen
Height: 6 ft. to 12 ft.
Width: 6 ft.
Sunlight: Full Sun
Climate: Zones 8, 9, 10, 11
Notes: Thrives in Dry Climates, Hot Climates. Container Plants, Drought Tolerant, Long Blooming, Low Maintenance, Showy Flowers.
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