Re: Mediterranean climate plants from Chile?

Bromeliads are our hobby. And there are a number of interesting ones that are indigenous to Chile.

The first one that comes to mind is Puya alpestris. It is a dense rosette of narrow pointed leaves, clumps readily so its size depends on long it has been there and how assiduous you are in keeping it in check. It is not invasive. When it blooms it throws up a 3-4 ft sturdy stalk which has a dense head with rather peculiar blue green flowers. I planted one in our botanical garden here in San Luis Obispo. The garden workers told me when it bloomed that the visitors would walk over to it and pinch the petals. They did not believe they were real! You can see it at: http://www.charlies-web.com/bromeliads- alphalist/contentsP10.html.
If you want another showstopper try Puya berteroniana or P. chilensis. P. berteroniana is a 4 foot diameter large version of P. alpestris with an inflorescence the goes to 10-12 feet with the same unusual color of P. alpestris. See: http://www.charlies-web.com/ bromeliads-alphalist/contentsP13.html Puya chilensis is almost identical except that the flowers are yellow. You should be able to get them from a professional bromeliad nursery. Puyas have an unfriendly set of spines so they would have to be planted a bit away from any foot paths.
Peter Franklin of Australia has made a bromeliad inventory of Chilean species which I have on my web site.. It was taken from Smith and Downs which is a bit dated (40-50 years) but contains many desirable plants. The fascicularias are low growing plants whose nararow rosette of leaves looks like many other bromeliads but the colorful inflorescence is down in the center . You can see it at: http://www.charlies-web.com/bromeliads-alphalist/contentsF01.html and the following page.
A large photo of Fascicularia pitcairnifolia is at: http:// www.charlies-web.com/bigpix/texxt001.html.
I'll bet Joe Seals (see above address) would have many suggestions for you! How about it, Joe? ---Chas---
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Hi all,

I'm working on a redesign of a small public mediterranean garden here in
California, and we're planning on using the four sections of the garden to
highlight interesting plants from each of the other mediterranean climates
(other than California). I've got tons of ideas for plants in the South
Africa, Australia, and Mediterranean zones, but I haven't found much
information about plants from the mediterranean climate region of Chile.
Does anyone have any suggestions of plants to use and/or sources for plant
lists? I'm looking mostly for shrubs (10' tall and under), perennials, and
bulbs.

Plants from the mediterranean climate region of Chile seems like an
interesting discussion topic in general. Chile feels like the forgotten
stepchild of the medit climates to me...the mattoral isn't as well known as
the chapparel, maquis, or fynbos. What do you think?

Cheryl

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Cheryl Renshaw
Landscape Designer
Santa Clara, California













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