Aechmea distichantha or the Brazilian Vase Plant is a great indoor pot plant for bright indirect light areas.
In warmer climates it makes a fabulous shady spot statement outdoors with spiky, grey/green sprays of foliage out of which sprout a virulent bright pink bloom, held aloft on a stiff stalk.
The flower is made up of spreading spikes each with several blue, white or purple flowers surrounded by pink bracts.
Each flower may last for several weeks or even months but Bromeliads flower only once then die but new 'pups' will grow alongside so in that respect they are perennials.
As epiphytes, these plants are a fabulous way to add interest and colour to tree trunks but beware of the foliage which is sharply spikey.