THE PINEAPPLE FAMILY — Bromeliaceae 
Bromeliads include Billbergia, Cryptanthus, Aregelia, Tillandsia, Neoregelia and 
many more genera. We list Billbergias and only a few others that require the same cul- 
ture. These include some of the most unusual and fascinating plants. Not only are the 
flowers in intriguing pastel colors but the floral display 1s made brilliant by the large 
vividly colored bracts that cover the scape. The leaves form a rosette and are more or 
less rigid. Some have brightly colored leaves and others are often mottled, striped or 
barred. All are desirable foliage plants. 
How to Grow Billbergias. All are tropical or semitropical and thus are hardy in 
outdoor gardens only in the deep south. But they are all easy to grow in pots and add 
distinction as well as beauty to the window garden. 
In pots they should have a soil of 44 sand or sandy loam and #4 peat or leaf mould. 
There should be plenty of drainage material in the pot as poor drainage may soon destroy 
them. Do not overwater when first planted or in winter when semi-dormant. Nor should 
they become dry enough to shrivel the foliage. In hot weather when they are growing 
well, water liberally. Keep a drink of water in their cups in the center. 
In the outdoor garden they should have the same soil as recommended for pots. A 
few, like “nutans,” will grow in nearly any soil but will do much better in the type 
recommended. 
They need about half shade. Too much sun will burn and finally destroy the foliage. 
Those species and varieties having highly colored foliage’ do not develop their rich colors 
when too deeply shaded. Most of our plants are grown in a well shaded Clivia house. 
When well established and growing, richer colors may be brought out by giving a little 
more sun than we do. 
Aregelia spectabilis. The bronze foliage with greyish green transverse bands on the 
outside make this a spectacular plant. $3.50. 
B. distachia. Foliage, reddish green with cream spots. Long flower racemes with rose 
pink bracts and blue flowers with green margin. Blooms early spring and again in late 
summer. 50c. . 
B. nutans. The most popular of all as it blooms in midwinter and is very lovely. Pink 
bracts, blue and green flowers. 50c. Three for $1.00. 
B. nutans x cryptanthus acaulis. A highly colored hybrid with bronze and green 
leaves. Compact growth. $2.00. | 
B. Pyramidalis Hybrid. Pyramidalis x Amoena. Both parents are outstanding and 
this hybrid is no less. Beautiful in foliage and inflorescence. $2.00. 
B. rubro-cyanea. The most colorful in foliage, showing green, white and red com- 
binations. Inflorescence, crimson bracts, flowers green, edged dark blue. $1.00. 
B. speciosa. Foliage green above. Under side greyish green. Bracts rose, flowers pale 
green tipped with blue. $2.90. 
B. Theodore L. Meade (Meade’s Hybrid). Nutans x Nobile. Handsome green foliage 
with vivid large inflorescence. It is called an everbloomer. But this does not mean that 
one plant blooms continuously or even almost. However, a large group of plants will 
show flowers for nearly the entire year. It has no definite season but flowers from new 
leads as they reach the proper maturity. $2.00. 
B. thrysiflora. Mature foliage faintly barred. Summer blooming. Vivid inflorescence, 
scarlet bracts, blue and purple flowers. $1.50. 
B. Zebrina. Beautiful foliage, barred white. Salmon bracts, green fls. $1.50. 
Big Four Collection. Contains Nutans, Distachia, Rubro-cyanea and Zebrina. Price 
$2.75, postpaid. By express, larger plants, $2.25. 
Collection, All 10 varieties listing for $16.50. Price $14.50, postpaid. If b 
f.o.b. we send larger plants for $13.50. Heer y express, 
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