Plants with a long flowering season

Vreisia Splendens, flower spathe lasts for months and the red contrasts with the yellow flowers (whch aren't showing yet). It will have one or two offsets after flowering which will flower about two to three years later. My favourite Bromeliad

 

Thanks Strongy - I have seen those a number of times in garden centres and they always have that red spathe. But I wasn't sure if they only sold them when they were 'in flower' or whether the spathes lasted a long time. Now I know.

 

Adenium obesum flowers virtually all year for me, the flowers can be a bit sparce at this time of the year but rarely are there no flowers at all.
Pics taken in summer.

 

There were some "towers" of Guzmania and in the glasshouse at Wisley last winter. Dunno whether its a concept to consider for a conservatory though??

 

There are numerous Vriesia cultivars now Peter and they all last a long time (compared to Billbergia) and yes, they are always sold when coming into flower.

 

Those towers look stunning Kristen but almost OTT, the Alocasias give them a nice contrast. The top one has Aechmeas as well, wouldn't want to put my hand in there!

 

You cant rule out Phalaenopsis, or for a really small houseplant what about african violets, nobody seems to grow them anymore, (Saintpaulia).

 

Those are truly spectacular Kristen - but I read over 12.5C and out of the sun. I could do them the other way round.

 

One plant worth a mention here is Potentilla 'Abbotswood'.
Mine will keep flowering throughout the summer, the amount of flower varies according to the conditions, but it's a robust, unfussy little shrub which seems well suited to my dry, sandy soil.

 

Alstroemeria It flowered for months took a year to get going, grew to 3 foot high covered in blooms so impressed bought some more It was planted in a large tub out side, frost hardy think for after pulling out spent flowers (like Rhubarb) it is going great guns again well leaves any way never had such a pretty plant . The slugs don't seem to like it thats a plus . There is a new blue one just bred available in spring ordered that. Would recommend this plant for trouble free. When I get my head around this new smart phone will put up pictures !
Happy Christmas every one, No snow this year just constant rain.

 

I would agree Rosietutu - Alstromeria can be a fabulous long flowering plant. I had two that did well for several years. But I think they got hit one winter and never really recovered after that.

 

Grew them as a kid. Was amazed, at the time!, by the fact that I could just pull leaves off and stick them in water to propagate them. Would that all the plants I want now were that easy!

 

Lovely "towers" of Guzmania

 

I have one Alstromeria - A.psittacina.............................


Very much depending on the warmth of spring, it can bloom from early summer through to October. Reaches one and a half metres and is reliably hardy and forms clumps easily.

It's climbing cousin Bomarea hirtella has a similar bloom period. Like the Alstro, the sooner that it warms up the sooner it gets going (I know that sounds like common sense, but a prolonged period of warm'ish dry weather warming the soil seems to suit more than hot spells mixed up with cooling wet).


Untried over the winter outdoors so far, mine goes in the ground next spring so we'll see.

 

To the point where it is worth putting a cloche over it to bring it on early?

Or for anything over wintered under glass perhaps delay planting out? I've probably mentioned it in other threads before, but I read a keen Ginger grower saying he doesn't put his out until the end of July now, as that brings forward the Autumn/Winter flowering by at least a month [compared to planting out at beginning of June]