Puya alpestris is better known as the Sapphire Towers. This pineapple relative is from the Bromeliaceae family. Native of Chile. Great plant to attract hummingbirds. For several years the clump will gradually enlarge until it is about 2 feet tall. Usually by this time several pups have started. Puya alpestris is absolutely amazing. It doesn?t form an edible fruit but the flowers will have you salivating. The prickly arching leaves are a show themselves, 4-5 foot tall rosette of curving, spiny-margined, light green leaves that are silver-gray beneath. Leaves are 1-2 inches wide at their base and 2-3 feet long. In the spring Puya alpestris produces this Sapphire tower of blooms. This is a most extraordinary color with the deepest sapphire blue and a green overtone. The flower spike is about 6? tall and the branches have flowerless tips that act as perches for hummingbirds that pollinate the flowers. Hardiness zone: 9 -11, (-5øC/25øF, 4øC/40øF) in winter. Puya alpestris is an evergreen that is drought tolerant with low water needs. Grow in full sun or part shade, can stand temperatures up to 100øF. Water moderately whenever the soil is about 2/3 dry down where the roots are. Avoid letting the soil completely dry out, but don't let it stay soggy either. Also keep them fairly dry during the winter, unless temperatures are above freezing. They will bloom the soonest if protected from frost.