Alcantarea imperialis ‘Silver Plum’ – Silver Plum Bromeliad
Alcantarea imperialis ‘Silver Plum’ – Silver Plum Bromeliad
Most loved for its dramatic silver-purple foliage and bold architectural bromeliad form.
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$330.00
Sale price
$330.00
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Pot size
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- Current height guide
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- Pot size
- 30cm
Approximate only. Minimum height important? Confirm with us.
Height guide & disclaimer
Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you must confirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.
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About this tree
About this tree
- Mature height
- 1m to 1.5m
- Mature width
- 1.5m to 2m
Alcantarea imperialis 'Silver Plum' is a large architectural bromeliad grown for its broad, arching leaves in dusky silver-purple. The plant builds a single symmetrical rosette roughly 1 to 1.5 metres across, holding that colour year round. Mature plants eventually send up a tall spike of cream flowers well above the foliage.
It grows best in full sun to part shade in free draining soil, and takes coastal exposure and summer heat without complaint. Leaf colour deepens with more light. It suits subtropical and warm temperate gardens from Brisbane to Sydney and Perth, and needs protection from frost in cold inland districts. Water through establishment, then rarely.
Landscapers use it as a single specimen in a courtyard, beside a pool, in raised planters, or repeated through a bed of gravel and succulents. One plant carries a space on its own, so it earns its place in small gardens and in commercial planting where low replacement rates matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Silver Plum Bromeliad
What is Alcantarea imperialis 'Silver Plum'?
It is a large evergreen bromeliad from Brazil, selected for its silver-purple foliage. The strap-shaped leaves arch out from a central rosette that holds water in its cup. It is grown as a foliage plant rather than for flowers, and is used where a bold, sculptural shape is wanted year round.
How big does Silver Plum Bromeliad grow?
Expect a rosette around 1 to 1.5 metres across and roughly 1 metre tall once mature, reached over several years. Growth is steady rather than quick, adding about 20 to 50 centimetres a year in good conditions. When the plant does flower, the spike lifts well above the foliage, to around 2 metres.
Does it need sun or shade?
Full sun to partial shade both work. In full sun the silver-purple tones are stronger and the rosette stays tighter and more upright. In shade the leaves grow longer and greener and the plant opens out. In very hot inland gardens, light afternoon shade prevents leaf burn during heatwaves.
Is it frost tolerant?
No, it is frost sensitive. Alcantarea imperialis comes from warm coastal Brazil, and cold damage shows as brown patches on the leaves and rot in the central cup. Grow it in frost free coastal and subtropical gardens, or keep it in a pot under eaves or a verandah where cold air drains away.
Can it grow in pots?
Yes, and it is one of the better container bromeliads. Use a wide, heavy pot with a coarse free draining mix, since the plant becomes top heavy as the rosette widens. A 45 to 75 litre pot suits a mature specimen. Containers also let you move it out of frost and driving winter rain.
When does it flower?
Flowering is unpredictable and usually takes many years, most often arriving in summer. A thick spike rises to about 2 metres carrying cream flowers. Each rosette flowers once and then slowly declines, but it produces offsets around the base beforehand, so the clump continues. Most buyers grow it for the foliage alone.
How do I care for Silver Plum Bromeliad?
Water into the central cup and around the base while it settles in, then water only in long dry spells. Flush the cup occasionally in still, humid weather so it does not sour. Remove old outer leaves as they brown. A light application of slow release fertiliser in spring is enough.
Mature height & width
Mature height & width
- Mature height
- 1m to 1.5m
- Mature width
- 1.5m to 2m
Pot sizes & dimensions
Pot sizes & dimensions
| Pot / bag size | Width | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| 30cm Pot | 33cm | 30cm |
| 40cm/45L Pot | 44cm | 41.5cm |
| 50cm Pot / 70L Pot | 55cm | 41.8cm |
| 100L Bag | 50.6cm | 52.8cm |
| 150L Bag | 66cm | 55cm |
| 200L Bag | 71.5cm | 60.5cm |
| 300L Bag | 88cm | 63.8cm |
| 400L Bag | 99cm | 66cm |
| 500L Bag | 122cm | 66cm |
| 750L Bag | 134cm | 69cm |
| 1000L Bag | 146.3cm | 71.5cm |
| 2000L Bag | 176cm | 82.5cm |
General planting reference from our existing size guide. Actual containers can vary by supplier and batch; confirm exact dimensions if required.
Delivery & pickup
Delivery & pickup
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Trade enquiries
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About Alcantarea imperialis ‘Silver Plum’
Alcantarea imperialis 'Silver Plum' is a large architectural bromeliad grown for its broad, arching leaves in dusky silver-purple. The plant builds a single symmetrical rosette roughly 1 to 1.5 metres across, holding that colour year round. Mature plants eventually send up a tall spike of cream flowers well above the foliage.
It grows best in full sun to part shade in free draining soil, and takes coastal exposure and summer heat without complaint. Leaf colour deepens with more light. It suits subtropical and warm temperate gardens from Brisbane to Sydney and Perth, and needs protection from frost in cold inland districts. Water through establishment, then rarely.
Landscapers use it as a single specimen in a courtyard, beside a pool, in raised planters, or repeated through a bed of gravel and succulents. One plant carries a space on its own, so it earns its place in small gardens and in commercial planting where low replacement rates matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Silver Plum Bromeliad
What is Alcantarea imperialis 'Silver Plum'?
It is a large evergreen bromeliad from Brazil, selected for its silver-purple foliage. The strap-shaped leaves arch out from a central rosette that holds water in its cup. It is grown as a foliage plant rather than for flowers, and is used where a bold, sculptural shape is wanted year round.
How big does Silver Plum Bromeliad grow?
Expect a rosette around 1 to 1.5 metres across and roughly 1 metre tall once mature, reached over several years. Growth is steady rather than quick, adding about 20 to 50 centimetres a year in good conditions. When the plant does flower, the spike lifts well above the foliage, to around 2 metres.
Does it need sun or shade?
Full sun to partial shade both work. In full sun the silver-purple tones are stronger and the rosette stays tighter and more upright. In shade the leaves grow longer and greener and the plant opens out. In very hot inland gardens, light afternoon shade prevents leaf burn during heatwaves.
Is it frost tolerant?
No, it is frost sensitive. Alcantarea imperialis comes from warm coastal Brazil, and cold damage shows as brown patches on the leaves and rot in the central cup. Grow it in frost free coastal and subtropical gardens, or keep it in a pot under eaves or a verandah where cold air drains away.
Can it grow in pots?
Yes, and it is one of the better container bromeliads. Use a wide, heavy pot with a coarse free draining mix, since the plant becomes top heavy as the rosette widens. A 45 to 75 litre pot suits a mature specimen. Containers also let you move it out of frost and driving winter rain.
When does it flower?
Flowering is unpredictable and usually takes many years, most often arriving in summer. A thick spike rises to about 2 metres carrying cream flowers. Each rosette flowers once and then slowly declines, but it produces offsets around the base beforehand, so the clump continues. Most buyers grow it for the foliage alone.
How do I care for Silver Plum Bromeliad?
Water into the central cup and around the base while it settles in, then water only in long dry spells. Flush the cup occasionally in still, humid weather so it does not sour. Remove old outer leaves as they brown. A light application of slow release fertiliser in spring is enough.
- Foliage
Evergreen (foliage year round)
- Position
- Use
- Mature height
- 1m to 1.5m
- Mature width
- 1.5m to 2m
Planting Information
Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Alcantarea imperialis ‘Silver Plum’ – Silver Plum Bromeliad
Alcantarea imperialis ‘Silver Plum’ – Silver Plum Bromeliad is expected to grow 20cm to 50cm per year.
Long Term Care For Your Alcantarea imperialis ‘Silver Plum’ – Silver Plum Bromeliad
Planting Your Alcantarea imperialis ‘Silver Plum’ – Silver Plum Bromeliad in Different Soil
Uses in my Garden
Uses in my Garden
Alcantarea imperialis ‘Silver Plum’ – Silver Plum Bromeliad works in an:
Is Alcantarea imperialis ‘Silver Plum’ – Silver Plum Bromeliad Evergreen or Deciduous?
Alcantarea imperialis ‘Silver Plum’ – Silver Plum Bromeliad is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree
Mature Height & Width
Mature Height: 1m to 1.5m
Mature Width: 1.5m to 2m
Alcantarea imperialis ‘Silver Plum’ – Silver Plum Bromeliad is expected to grow 20cm to 50cm per year.
Growth Rate of Alcantarea imperialis ‘Silver Plum’ – Silver Plum Bromeliad
Alcantarea imperialis ‘Silver Plum’ – Silver Plum Bromeliad is expected to grow 20cm to 50cm per year.
They are considered to have a:
Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Alcantarea imperialis ‘Silver Plum’ – Silver Plum Bromeliad
Is Alcantarea imperialis ‘Silver Plum’ – Silver Plum Bromeliad frost tolerant?
Alcantarea imperialis ‘Silver Plum’ – Silver Plum Bromeliad is Frost Sensitive – May suffer damage from frost, best in frost-free or protected spots.
Does Alcantarea imperialis ‘Silver Plum’ – Silver Plum Bromeliad Flower?
Alcantarea ‘Silver Plum’ produces a tall dramatic flower spike bearing masses of small creamy-yellow flowers on mature plants. While flowering is infrequent, the display is highly architectural, with the plant primarily valued for its broad silver-toned foliage flushed with plum colouring.
Does Alcantarea imperialis ‘Silver Plum’ – Silver Plum Bromeliad flower?
Flowering Period:
Flower Type:
Flower Colour:
Cream
Is Alcantarea imperialis ‘Silver Plum’ – Silver Plum Bromeliad an Australian Native Tree?
No
Alcantarea imperialis ‘Silver Plum’ – Silver Plum Bromeliad is Native to Brazil, where Alcantarea imperialis naturally grows on rocky slopes and exposed tropical landscapes.
What is the Wildlife Value of Alcantarea imperialis ‘Silver Plum’ – Silver Plum Bromeliad ?
Its central water-holding rosette provides a valuable microhabitat for frogs, beneficial insects and small wildlife within subtropical and tropical gardens. The flowers also attract bees and pollinators during the blooming period, supporting biodiversity within the landscape.
How much Sunlight does Alcantarea imperialis ‘Silver Plum’ – Silver Plum Bromeliad need?
Alcantarea imperialis ‘Silver Plum’ – Silver Plum Bromeliad will thrive best in:
Preferred Soil?
Alcantarea ‘Silver Plum’ performs best in free-draining sandy or loam soils with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. It will also tolerate poorer soils provided drainage remains reliable and airflow around the plant is maintained. Avoid heavy clay or persistently wet conditions, as excess moisture can lead to root or crown rot. Keep soil lightly moist during establishment, then gradually reduce watering as the plant matures.
Is Alcantarea imperialis ‘Silver Plum’ – Silver Plum Bromeliad Drought Tolerant?
Is Alcantarea imperialis ‘Silver Plum’ – Silver Plum Bromeliad Drought tolerant?
As a young plant it benefits from occasional watering to establish evenly, particularly during warmer weather. Once established, ‘Silver Plum’ shows good drought tolerance and performs reliably through dry periods, especially when grown in well-drained soil.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Compare sizes side by side
30cm
Approx. 0.4m – 0.6m
40cm/45L
Enquire for current heights
50cm/75L
Enquire for current heights
Heights are approximate and vary between individual trees.
Alcantarea imperialis ‘Silver Plum’ is loved for its dramatic silver-purple foliage and bold architectural bromeliad form.
We take pride in supplying A+ grade advanced trees. When stock at our farm is not yet ready, we work with our trusted trade suppliers to source the best available trees for your garden.
Plant Your Alcantarea imperialis ‘Silver Plum’ – Silver Plum Bromeliad With:
Trachelospermum jasminoides Balls – Star Jasmine Balls
Trachelospermum jasminoides Balls – Star Jasmine Balls
Trachelospermum jasminoides 'Balls' is Star Jasmine grown and clipped into a dense evergreen sphere. The small glossy leaves sit tight on a woody framework, holding a clean rounded outline year round. White pinwheel flowers open in spring and carry a strong sweet scent right across a courtyard.
Ball specimens hold at about 1 to 1.5 metres tall and wide with light clipping. Full sun to part shade suits them, in any free draining soil. Growth is slow to moderate at 30 to 50 centimetres a year. They handle coastal exposure, light frost and dry spells once the roots are down.
Repeat them along a driveway, either side of an entry, or in pots on a terrace where a formal shape is wanted straight away. They read as structure in a planting scheme without the height of a hedge, and because the form is already trained, a new garden looks settled from the day it goes in.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Star Jasmine Balls
What are Star Jasmine Balls?
They are Trachelospermum jasminoides, the common Star Jasmine, grown and clipped into a dense evergreen sphere on a woody framework. Instead of climbing, the plant is trained into a self supporting rounded shape. The foliage is small, glossy and dark green, and the plant carries scented white flowers through spring.
How big do Star Jasmine Balls grow?
They hold at roughly 1 to 1.5 metres tall and 1 to 1.5 metres wide. Growth is slow to moderate at 30 to 50 centimetres a year, so a light clip once or twice a year keeps the ball tight at whatever size within that range suits the setting.
Do Star Jasmine Balls need sun or shade?
Full sun to part shade both work. Full sun gives the densest foliage and the heaviest flowering, while part shade produces slightly softer, more open growth and fewer flowers. Avoid deep shade, where the ball thins out and loses its outline. Morning sun with afternoon protection suits hot inland gardens.
Can Star Jasmine Balls be grown in pots?
Yes, and pots are one of the main uses. A container 50 to 60 centimetres wide with a quality free draining mix will hold a ball for years. Water more often than you would in the ground, especially in summer, and feed in spring and again in late summer. Refresh the mix every few years.
Are Star Jasmine Balls evergreen?
Yes, the foliage is held year round. The glossy dark green leaves take on a bronze tinge in cold weather and green up again in spring, but the plant never goes bare. That is what makes it useful as permanent structure in a scheme, particularly in winter once perennials have died back.
When do Star Jasmine Balls flower?
Flowering runs through spring, roughly September to November, and often carries into early summer in warmer districts. The white pinwheel flowers are small but produced in quantity, and the scent is strong on still evenings. Flowering is heaviest on plants in full sun that were not clipped hard just before bud set.
How do I prune and care for Star Jasmine Balls?
Clip lightly with hedging shears once after flowering and again in late summer if needed, taking only the new growth to keep the outline crisp. Water deeply in dry weather, mulch the base, and feed in early spring. The sap is milky and can irritate skin, so wear gloves when trimming.
Trachelospermum jasminoides Balls – Star Jasmine Balls
Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary
Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary
Westringia fruticosa, Coastal Rosemary, is an Australian native evergreen shrub from the headlands and dunes of the east coast. It builds a dense rounded bush of fine grey green leaves held in whorls, with small white to pale lilac flowers. Despite the common name it is not the culinary herb.
Mature plants sit at 1.5 to 2 metres tall and 1.5 to 2 metres wide, growing 30 to 60 centimetres a year, and they clip smaller without complaint. Full sun to part shade and sharp drainage are the requirements. Salt wind, sandy soil, drought and light to moderate frost are all handled.
It is a standard on coastal projects, road verges, council garden beds and exposed banks that need erosion cover. Plant 1 to 1.5 metres apart for an informal screen, or 80 centimetres for a clipped hedge. A single plant fills a 40 to 50 centimetre pot on a courtyard or balcony.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Coastal Rosemary
What is Coastal Rosemary?
Westringia fruticosa is an Australian native evergreen shrub from the headlands and dunes of the east coast. It forms a dense rounded bush of fine grey green leaves held in whorls, with small white to pale lilac flowers. Despite the common name it is not culinary rosemary and is not used in cooking.
How big does Coastal Rosemary grow?
Mature plants reach 1.5 to 2 metres tall and 1.5 to 2 metres wide. It clips readily to smaller dimensions and is often maintained at around a metre as a hedge or a low mound. Growth is moderate, roughly 30 to 60 centimetres a year, so it holds a trimmed shape well.
Is Coastal Rosemary suitable for coastal positions?
It is one of the best shrubs available for exposed coastal work. It grows naturally on sea cliffs and copes with salt laden wind, sand and reflected heat. It is used constantly on beachfront reserves, dune stabilisation projects and seaside gardens where little else holds a tidy shape.
When does Coastal Rosemary flower?
The main flush is spring and summer, roughly September through February, with scattered flowering at other times of the year in mild districts. The flowers are small, white to pale lilac and sit among the foliage rather than above it. Clipped hedges flower less than plants left to grow informally.
How far apart should I plant Coastal Rosemary for a hedge?
Space plants 80 centimetres apart for a tight formal hedge, or 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense informal screen. On banks and batters used for erosion cover, 1 metre in a staggered grid gives full ground coverage within about two growing seasons.
Can Coastal Rosemary grow in pots?
Yes. A pot 40 to 50 centimetres wide suits a single plant for a courtyard, entry or balcony. Use a free draining mix, because the roots will not tolerate sitting wet. Container plants need watering more often than those in the ground, plus a light trim to hold their shape.
How do I prune and care for Coastal Rosemary?
Trim lightly two or three times a year, taking the soft new growth and avoiding cuts into bare old wood, which reshoots poorly. Water through the first summer, then only in extended dry spells. On most soils it needs no feeding at all, and it resents heavy watering and poor drainage.
Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary
Westringia ‘Wynyabbie Blue’ – Wynyabbie Blue Coastal Rosemary
Westringia ‘Wynyabbie Blue’ – Wynyabbie Blue Coastal Rosemary
Westringia 'Wynyabbie Blue' is a hardy Australian native shrub grown for its lilac blue flowers, which are larger and more freely carried than those of the common white forms. Narrow grey green leaves sit in neat whorls on a dense rounded frame that holds its shape through the year.
Expect 1.5 to 2 metres in height and width at maturity, at 30 to 60 centimetres a year. Full sun brings the heaviest flowering, though part shade is accepted. Drainage matters above everything else, after which it takes salt wind, sandy or gravelly ground, drought and light to moderate frost.
Mass plantings on batters, median strips and coastal frontages are where it earns its keep, and it clips into a low hedge of about a metre without losing its flowering. Plant 1 to 1.5 metres apart for an informal screen. One plant fills a 40 to 50 centimetre pot neatly.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Wynyabbie Blue Coastal Rosemary
What is Westringia Wynyabbie Blue?
Westringia 'Wynyabbie Blue' is a hardy Australian native shrub grown for its lilac blue flowers, which are larger and more freely carried than those of the common white forms. Narrow grey green leaves sit in neat whorls on a dense rounded frame. It is evergreen and holds its structure all year.
How big does Wynyabbie Blue grow?
It reaches 1.5 to 2 metres tall and 1.5 to 2 metres wide at maturity, growing 30 to 60 centimetres a year. It clips comfortably to around a metre if you want a lower hedge, and it will hold that height indefinitely given two or three light trims a year.
When does Wynyabbie Blue flower?
From spring right through autumn, roughly September to May, with sporadic flowers in winter in mild districts. The lilac blue flowers open in flushes rather than all at once, so there is usually some colour on the plant. Flowering is heaviest in full sun on lean, well drained soil.
Is Wynyabbie Blue drought tolerant?
Yes. Once the roots are established it needs very little water and copes with extended dry periods, which is why it is used on unirrigated median strips and road verges. Drainage matters more than watering, since the plant will die in soggy ground long before it dies of thirst.
Is Wynyabbie Blue suitable for coastal positions?
It is. Salt laden wind, sandy soils and reflected heat are all handled, and it is planted routinely on foreshore reserves and beachside gardens. In very exposed frontal positions the plant stays lower and denser than it would inland, which generally suits the situation anyway.
How far apart should I plant Wynyabbie Blue for a hedge?
Use 80 centimetres between plants for a clipped formal hedge, or 1 to 1.5 metres for a dense informal screen. For mass planting on banks and median strips, 1 metre in a staggered pattern gives full coverage within about two growing seasons and shades out most weeds.
How do I prune and care for Wynyabbie Blue?
Trim lightly after each flowering flush, taking soft growth only. Cutting back into bare old wood leaves gaps that will not fill in, so stay on top of it rather than letting it get away. Water through the first summer, then rarely. Avoid rich soils and heavy fertiliser.
Westringia ‘Wynyabbie Blue’ – Wynyabbie Blue Coastal Rosemary
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