There is a bromeliad suitable for every situation, whether it be sun, shade or anything in between.

And what's more, they beautifully occupy those places in the garden that can sometimes be problematic.

The popular Bromeliad Spring Sale is coming up fast on October 29 with rare and unusual plants available for sale at Tauranga Yacht & Powerboat Club from BOP Bromeliad club members.

Entry for the morning is free with raffles, spot prizes, bromeliad growing advice, good prices, cash sales and plenty of parking.

In trend

BOP Bromeliad president Lynley Breeze is one of about 100 club members who have fallen for the spectacular bromeliad, which has more than 3000 known species.

'Bromeliads have become very ‘in trend' plants as they thrive in the warm summers in the Bay of Plenty and complement tropical-style gardens with palms and bold foliage plants,” says Lynley.

Bromeliads do not demand much attention or extra watering; their main requirement is good drainage. Holding water in a tank-like structure, they are mainly epiphytes attached to trees or rocks in their native South America. Most can also grow directly in the ground and many have a bold architectural form as well as vivid colours.

Some have patterned and highly coloured foliage that creates year-round interest in the garden. Others have spectacular flowers, some of which remain in flower for up to 10 months. Furthermore it is possible to quickly grow a collection of plants because bromeliads are usually propagated from the growth of young plants off the original plant. Most will grow at least three offsets (pups), with some growing many more than that.

Wide variety

'That is why growers are able to sell on plants at our sales day at very reasonable prices,” says Lynley, who reckons club members have a wide variety of plants not available in local nurseries.

'These plants can offer different levels in the garden through being attached to trees, driftwood or ponga stumps,” says Lynley. 'The air plants called Tillandsias are also bromeliads and there will be a range of these available on Saturday as well.”

The spring sale of bromeliad plants was originally held in the Matua Hall but the club now needs the larger premises and central location of the yacht club. Growers can offer advice on the best situation in the garden for the many different types of bromeliads.

The club meets on the second Wednesday of the month at the Tauranga Yacht & Powerboat Club, Sulphur Point 12.30pm-2.30pm. Visitors are welcome and there is a sales table at each meeting. Having the spring sale on a Saturday enables gardeners who work during the week to get a chance to buy some of these exotic plants.

The Bromeliad Spring Sale is at Tauranga Yacht & Powerboat Club from 8am-12noon, Saturday October 29. Free entry. Cash sales only.