Ochagavia carnea

Rare in cultivation, this clumping perennial appears as a spiny pineapple and is possibly the hardiest bromeliad to be found NOT growing on telephone wires but rather as a terrestrial on rock faces and scree. From the western slopes of the central and southern Andes, this from the Cañon Infiernillo, growing with austrocedrus on sunny, gravelly slopes opposite shady slopes covered with Eryngium eburneum in nearly mirror image. But "this clearly weren't no eryngium...'cause”... the rosettes open to form a bright pink powder puff with bluey pink flowers emerging. This clone, with its beautifully toothed leaves, makes a striking plant. We have every reason to believe it might be hardy to the upper reaches of USDA zone 7 but certainly zone 8 with good drainage and bright light. Great for containers as well. Tolerant of long periods of summer drought, but a little more water hastens growth.