Puya coerulea var. monteroana
Puya coerulea var monteroana, Chagualillo, is an intraspecific taxon of Puya coerulea from Talca Province, south of Santiago where it grows on rocky arid slopes up to elevations of 1500-2000m. It forms low clumping colonies with glaucous blue arching foliage that are thin and linear and from a distance resemble clumps of blue-ish grass. Its multi-branched inflorescence rises to 2m and has dark violet flowers with three petals, yellow anthers and a green stigma.
Like all Puyas it requires perfect drainage and a dry regime during the winter. The Chilean Puyas are more of a challenge in UK conditions than the tougher somewhat more hardy Puyas from Argentina and will require a very favoured southern microclimate together with winter protection. In such a location, a near-vertical rocky wall facing south with some overhanging evergreen foliage is as perfect as it gets. The safe but sure option is to grow it in a container and bring it in to the conservatory for the winter.
Additional Information
| Order | Poales |
|---|---|
| Family | Bromeliaceae |
| Sub-Family | Pitcairnioideae |
| Synonyms | Pitcairnia coerulea var. monteroana, Pourretia caerulea var. monteroana, Puya violacea var. monteroana |
| Geographical Origin | Chile: Talca |
| Cultivation | Full sun. Perfect drainage, with little water. Keep perfectly dry in winter. Be prepared to protect in winter or grow in conservatory in container |
| Eventual Height | 2m |
| Eventual Spread | 80cm |
| Hardiness | Not fully hardy. Will take mild sub-zero temperatures for brief periods. Lower limit around -3C to -5C. Suitable for favoured southern microclimates. Mulch with shingle/grit. A slope or vertical is ideal. Protection with fleece. Or indoors in a container! |
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