Planting Bromeliads in Containers Around My Pool

June 20, 2023

Planting Bromeliads in Containers Around My Pool

Here at my Bedford, New York farm, spring container planting continues with a group of beautiful bromeliads.

During the warmer months, I always display lots of potted plants around my home - on the terrace parterre, in the courtyard behind my Winter House, on the stone ledges around my carport, along the carriage roads, and various other locations. Last week, my head gardener, Ryan McCallister, planted a collection of bromeliads for display around my pool. Bromeliads are members of the Bromeliaceae plant family. They feature striking, sword-shaped leaves and a bright, unusual-looking bloom. One of the most well-known bromeliads is the pineapple. These plants are native to tropical North and South America with about half growing in the ground and the remainder as epiphytes, or air plants, that grow on trees or rocks.

Here are some photos, enjoy.

: I have a good collection of these potted bromeliads. They will look great planted in small groups around my pool. Many bromeliads are epiphytes, which means they grow by clinging to a surface such as a tree, though they also can be grown in pots.

: Ryan sized up the plants and grouped them next to each ornamental urn ready for planting.

: Some of the urns are larger than others, but all have drainage holes at the bottom.

: To start, Ryan places a shard at the bottom of each planter. We always save shards to cover drain holes. It keeps dirt from falling through the hole while making sure there is still room for proper drainage. Saving the shards from broken pots is a great way to repurpose those pieces.

: Ryan fills the container with a fast-draining potting soil that holds moisture but drains well.

: Then he sprinkles a generous amount of all-purpose plant fertilizer into each pot.

: This fertilizer is packaged in prills, meaning it has been pelletized and is made for slow-release. It is also neater, easier to handle, and doesn’t produce as much dust.

: Ryan creates a hole for the first bromeliad plant. Bromeliads have small root systems, so the holes need not be too deep.

: Then he gently removes the plant from its pot and teases its roots to stimulate growth.

: Here is a closer look at this bromeliad’s roots.

: Most of these containers will hold about three or four plants. Ryan places them, so each one has enough room to grow.

: Bromeliads prefer bright light without direct sun exposure, but some will also tolerate full sun.

: Most bromeliads grow as a stemless rosette of leaves that may be symmetrical or twisted and curled.

: The leaves may be broad and leathery or fine and wiry. Many are colorfully banded and variegated.

: This afternoon is quite rainy, but Ryan continues to plant knowing they’ll definitely get a good drink of water.

: Here are two planters already done – they will fill out these pots nicely during the summer.

: The bromeliad’s strap-shaped leaves can also come with red, purple, orange, and yellow markings. This one has almost burgundy colored spots.

: Most bromeliads only bloom once in their lifetime before producing new plant offshoots. This one will bloom in bright pink. Bromeliad blooms last up to six months, which is nice for the plant’s lone flower show.

: Ryan also brings a collection of wooden shims which will be used to raise the pots off the ground just enough for the water to properly drain.

: At one end of my pool I have these staddle stones. Staddle stones were originally used in the 17th and 18th centuries as support bases for granaries, hayricks, and game larders. They typically looked like giant stone mushrooms, but mine are square – a more rare and unique version.