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Bromeliads: the "Holiday Centerpiece" Flower to Try
These beautiful blooms will give your winter arrangements a bold new look.
By Ellen Ruoff Riley
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Bromeliads echo the colors of traditional Thanksgiving decorations. Group them
with pumpkins, persimmons, pomegranates, and squash for an easy, long-lasting
arrangement. |
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An old shoe-shine box houses a collection of small Vriesea and Guzmania
bromeliads. Choose one large-flowered selection as the focal point, and position
the smaller ones around it. |
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Harvest-colored flowers take many forms--some traditional and some unexpected.
This year, take a break from using conventional chrysanthemums, and give your
holiday centerpiece a twist with autumn-hued, easy-to-arrange bromeliads. These
long-lasting plants partner beautifully with time-tested elements we love to
include on a Thanksgiving table--pumpkins, gourds, colorful fruit, and brilliant
leaves.
Caring for these plants is simple. Put your bromeliads in a bright location,
avoiding direct sunlight. When dry, remove plants from decorative containers,
water the soil well, and drain thoroughly. These tropical jewels are comfortable
with high humidity, so mist the foliage each time you water. While pots must not
sit in water, it is perfectly acceptable for moisture to remain on foliage where
stems and leaves come together.
Center of Attention
Part of bromeliads' versatility comes with their size assortment. Small 2
½-inch pots contain petite plants; larger 4- and 6-inch pots are also
available. A collection of these containers nest together and arrange easily for
a decorative centerpiece.
Begin with a large container or collection of smaller ones, complementing the
style and attitude of your dining area and table setting. Place one as the focal
point with smaller vessels surrounding it. For our Thanksgiving table, we used
an old colander and tart pan to create a look that's compatible with the
homespun cloth and casual atmosphere.
Line the container with foil to protect furniture from moisture. Leaving the
bromeliads in their pots, snuggle them together, starting with the tallest plant
and working toward the container edge with smaller ones.
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