Fascicularia bicolor (Baboon's Bottom)

Grows anywhere - in sun or shade. It's a bromeliad so most of its close relatives live as epiphytes in trees in Central America so - given a bit of encouragement - will this. We've had one growing in the stump of the branch of an old oak for many years. It's in deep shade so the leaves become huge and the whole plant from a distance has a spherical look. Extremely exotic and not what one expects in a Sussex wood. It forms clumps in the ground and flowers in the centre - electric blue and red. Baboon's bottoms get mentioned a lot. This is the hardiest of all the bromeliads and comes from the high Andes in South America. When you see it flower, you'll understand why it's also related to the pineapple. Each rosette grows to about 1ft across - more if in deep shade. Not surprisingly, you could probably leave this in a pot for years.

Propagated by us by division.