Unlike humans or maybe it is just me, flowers on tropical plants can look great for a long time, aging well. Above, the fading flowers of the relatively ephemeral Tropical Rain Lilies (Zephyranthes robusta). I enjoy these in the garden, the pink flowers celebrating rain. Here they are new:
The Silver Urn (Aechmea fasciata) flower opened about a month ago. Here is it today, the pink is a bit faded, but it is still a showstopper.
The opening flower:
Guzmania Bromeliads are another long lasting flower. I like these at all phases. These Bromeliads actually produce brown seed heads, which is unusual as most seem to produce vegetative pups. The flowers start red and slowly fade to chartreuse. This one is mid fade.
A fresh Guzmania flower. In March!
The Aechmea miniata flower, nearly full bloom with a friendly dragonfly. These are covered with blue when in full flower and slowly fade to apricot over the summer.
The buds from a couple of weeks ago.
Oops, I think that is Eight on Saturday. Oh, well. I am aging in the garden along with the Bromeliads…
To see more proper Six on Saturday posts visit http://www.thepropagatorblog.wordpress.com.
Happy Gardening!!
The Shrub Queen 
Your rain lilies have a darker color than mine. I’m surprised they are blooming this late in Florida.
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There are a lot of rain lilies, the ones I had in Atlanta looked like chives..I need to pay attention to how long these flower, I think it is the whole rainy season.
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Wonderful tropical plants, the colours of the Aechmea miniata are so appealing.
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Thanks, Noelle.
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Yes, aging is to be embraced! I just love that Aechmea miniata. 🙂
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Thanks, Eliza. With age comes wisdom, right? I love the miniatas, too.
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One would hope! 😉
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Gorgeous, one and all. I’m especially drawn to your lovely Aechmea miniata in all its blue-dotted glory…and the dragonfly bonus.
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Thank you..I enjoyed your Peonies, have never lived far enough north to grow any.
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I have another kind of rain lily (short stamen rain lilies( Habranthus brachyandrus ) ) with similar flowers. Nice choice again this week and always a favorite : the Aechmea Miniata 😍
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I was surprised to find out how many varieties of rain lilies exist. I am enjoying the miniatas this summer.
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Competition is generally more of an issue for tropical flowers. They live with so much other vegetation. Although pollinators are less numerous in less tropical climates, there is also less competition.
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There are definitely fewer pollinators. I wonder if mosquitoes do some work for bromeliads..
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gee, I did not consider that, but it makes sense, since some bromeliad flowers seems to want to attract them.
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I really like the theme of your Six. It is interesting to see how flowers transform as they pass their prime and to recognize the beauty in senescence.
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Thank you.
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As with age, we shouldn’t be counting too precisely! 😉 Love seeing your tropical flowers.
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Agreed! thanks, Cathy.
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Lovely photos and capturing the dragonfly as well, that is a special insect.
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Thank you, I did not realize the dragonfly was there until I looked at the picture! Lucky shot, I love dragonflies.
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Great photobomb!
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The best ever…
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Wow. They are all gorgeous – the cameo from the dragonfly included!
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It seems most gardeners have luck with Bromeliads, yours are beautiful. I had a nice collection when we lived in Miami but here in Vero it is another story. I was given one that doesn’t grow, flower or multiply. It just sits in the garden…at least it hasn’t died in the past two years. 😊 Perhaps one day it will surprise me.
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I think I am on the northern edge of bromeliad happiness, though you can grow the cold hardier varieties there if interested. I am fascinated with the bromeliads and just keep playing with them.
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