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San Diego Botanic Garden announces bloom of majestic sapphire tower

ENCINITAS – A sapphire tower plant at San Diego Botanic Garden is now in bloom, and the buds of a second tower are expected to open soon. The majestic, blue-green flowers of each bloom spike rise three to four feet above foliage of the plant, giving the plant its common name. Blooming for the first time at SDBG since April 2019, the puya alpestris is expected to bring many visitors to the garden from across the region.

"The electric-teal color of the flowers is really something that has to be experienced in person to fully appreciate," said SDBG Communications and External Relations Manager Ashley Grable. "Each sapphire tower has dozens of blooms in a gorgeous jewel tone that is rare to see in nature. It's quite a treat to enjoy this plant's first bloom in three years."

The sapphire tower is located in SDBG's South American Desert Garden, which is adjacent to Palm Canyon and the Tropical Rainforest. Native to the mountains of Chile, the puya alpestris is a terrestrial bromeliad that has low water needs, grows well in dry conditions, and tolerates wind and light frost, making it well suited to San Diego's coastal climate. The flowers produce abundant nectar, which attracts hummingbirds.

SDBG will make a limited number of sapphire tower plants available for purchase through its plant and gift shop at the Dickinson Family Education Conservatory. These young plants, sold in small containers, are not yet blooming size. Mature plants form a grassy-like clump up to six feet wide and three feet tall. Some plants require as many as 15 years of growth before their first flowers bloom. The sapphire tower plant requires good soil drainage and blooms best when grown in full sun.

SDBG is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Monday. Members of SDBG and other gardens participating in the American Horticultural Society's Reciprocal Admissions Program receive free admission. Non-member admissions range from $12 to $18. Reservations are strongly recommended, with the exception of qualified Museums for All visitors.

Walk-in admission may not be guaranteed on high-volume days. For more information and to reserve an entrance date and time, visit https://sdbgarden.org/sapphire-tower.htm.

Submitted by San Diego Botanic Garden.

 

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