If there's one category of the gardening market that's hot and getting hotter, it's bromeliads, those extraordinary epiphytes whose collectors and connoisseurs quickly become complete addicts. In this follow-on from his highly successful Bromeliads for the Contemporary Garden, bromeliad expert Andrew Steens takes bromeliads fanciers-both newbies and experts-on a wonderful journey into the wilds of South America, explaining bromeliad habitat and threats to their ecosystems with David Attenborough-like energy. Then he proceeds to a roll call of over 300 exotic, rare and must-have bromeliad species. Complete with growing (greenhouse and outdoors), hybridising and collecting advice, this comprehensive book is a must-have for the bromeliad lover.

The indispensable guide to the ever popular bromeliad family. The Bromeliaceae family consists of about 46 genera, several thousand species and a bewildering number of hybrids and cultivars. All are well able to adapt to their surroundings, which can range from steamy jungles to deserts. They are assisted in survival techniques by their rosetted cups, which efficiently catch water and nutrients. Bromeliads differ greatly in appearance. Some amaze with their brilliant inflorescences in glowing colour, while others are esteemed for the luminous light of their distinctive foliage, strong outlines and structural form. Their diversity makes bromeliads endlessly fascinating. Gardening trends wax and wane, but bromeliads have never gone out of favour. This book is a fully revised edition of Andrew Steens' first and highly successful book for bromeliad growers. With many many new species and toally revamped images, no bromeliad lover can be without it.

Brilliantly illustrated with more than 100 color images, this straightforward, easy-to-use guide focuses on the most popular species. Kramer has grown each one of the 200 plants featured in the work, in climates as diverse as those found in Illinois, California, and Florida. He writes with clear, practical information that gardeners of any skill level can use.

Experts Luther and Benzing show how to identify the species of native bromeliads and reveal how they and the other epiphytic bromeliads pursue their aerial, unconventional, bizarre, or strange lifestyle.