Aechmea fasciata or The Urn Plant is a very popular and striking bromeliad that produces broad, stiff, silvery grey leaves that arch out from a central throat or well.
As its name suggests it looks like a vase of arranged flowers as the broad clusters of mauve to blue flowers emerge in summer amongst a thick rosette of pink bracts.
These bracts and flowers combined make one of the plant-worlds' most spectacular sights so make sure they are surrounded with plenty of green to provide contrast and set them off even better.
Maindenhair ferns (Adiantum) are perfect to accompany these absolutely gorgeous plants.
They will not tolerate cold especially frost and are a popular indoor plant in colder climates.