I thought they were natives

I know I haven’t posted anything in over a month.  It wasn’t because there weren’t flowers out there.  I just needed a break.  That said, this week we return to the wonderful world of bromeliads.

I always thought these bro’s were native to Florida and I’ve told plenty of people that they are native.  Then, silly me, I Googled Florida native bromeliads and learned that all native bro’s live in trees.  Oops!  These “former natives” live on the ground, are quite prolific, bloom several times a year, and do well in deep shade or full sun.  With such adaptability you can see why I would think they are native.  Of course they will probably turn out to be invasive and the plant police will come knocking on my door any day now.

This particular clump was thrown under an old oak to await a time in the future when I had time to divide and plant them elsewhere. That was more than ten years ago.  The old oak isn’t even technically on my property although you would never guess that by looking at it (and I didn’t either until a survey showed me the error of my ways).  I’ve maintained the property around the old oak since 1998  just like it had been before I bought my house.  So technically, if the plant police show up, do the bro’s belong to me or the unknown owner of the land under the oak?

Anyway, I hope you have great weekend.  I’m going to a barn dance across the street.  I hope you have something just as novel planned.