No. 399—ELECTRO $2.60 
Puya Alpestris (Green Irish Yucca) and Alpestris Coerulea 
T HE PUYA is a very showy and most remarkable plant which comes from the 
Chilean Andes and is related to the pineapple. It is large and strong grow¬ 
ing, and when in bloom somewhat resembles a large Yucca, with flower stalks 
as much as six feet high. The flowers are most unusual in appearance, large 
and showy, produced in great number in a panicle of branches on the tall 
flower stalks. The plants remain in flower over a period of several weeks as 
there is a succession of buds from the stem outward. The most unusual charac¬ 
teristic is the color. Alpestris, or the Green Irish Yucca, is a striking bright 
metallic-looking Irish green shade, and Alpestris Coerulea has flowers of a 
rich dark indigo blue. The foliage is very ornamental, white on the underside 
and grey green on top. The plants are fairly resistant to cold, have stood a 
temperature of 20° F. in California and were not affected in any way. They 
would be perfectly hardy throughout the south and probably as far north 
as North Carolina, while in Australia and South Africa they should do extremely 
well. Puyas have been flowered in the south of England, in Wales, and in 
Ireland, but in these damper climates care must be taken to plant them near 
a dry wall for drainage and warmth in winter. The plants grow readily from 
seed, requiring approximately five years to flower, and need very little water 
after they are established. They will thrive in either a rich or poor soil, although 
they prefer a rich loam mixture. 
Puya Alpestris No. 6052 .... Price per pkt., $ .50 
Puya Alpestris Coerulea No. 6054 .... Price per pkt., $ .50 
15 
