![\"Puya](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ongardening.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Puya-berteronianas.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThe Blue Puya can be found in some public gardens. I viewed several fine specimens, and took this photo, about one year ago, in the Australian National Botanic Gardens, in Canberra.<\/p>\n
Locally, the Blue Puya is in bloom now at the UCSC Arboretum. The blooms do not last long, so to see one of nature\u2019s most extraordinary flowers, visit the UCSC Arboretum soon. For information and pictures, visit arboretum.ucsc.edu\/ and click on \u201cWhat\u2019s Blooming.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Chilean bed in my garden includes two quite young examples of this genus: a Blue Puya (P. berteroniana) and a Silver Puya (P. coerulea). These are slow-growing plants, now years away from blossoming in my garden. While they are not yet pleasing my eyes, they are already trying my patience (a little) and piquing my imagination.<\/p>\n
Annie\u2019s Annuals<\/a>\u00a0lists nine Puya species, but current availability includes just three. Similarly, the wholesale nursery San Marcos Growers<\/a> lists eight Puya species, with just three currently in production. Your local garden center could special-order plants from these nurseries, or another preferred source. Search the Internet by botanical name for information to share with garden visitors.<\/p>\n You certainly can keep your garden\u2019s tried and true selections, but consider adding exotic plants to enrich your landscape.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Regular readers of this column know of my interest in plants from the world\u2019s summer-dry climates, also called the Mediterranean Basin regions. Many plants from these exotic regions will thrive in the Monterey Bay area, and provide attractive and exciting … Continue reading