PERENNIALS > ALSTROEMERIA
IN THIS usher
ALSTROEMERIA GUIDES
Container GrowingDeadheadingDivisionProblemsVarietiesWinter tutelage
One of the most ubiquitous bloom find in bouquets in the Western humankind , Alstroemeria ( also referred to as Peruvian Lily , Herb Lily or Lily of the Incas ) is a much - loved bloom .
The reason is not just the fact that it comes in a variety of beautiful colours and delightfully originative designs , but that it is also easy to grow by amateur gardener and pro alike .
Peruvian Lilies resplendent as a herbaceous border
aboriginal to South America , in particular Chile and Brazil , the flush of the Alstroemeria industrial plant do n’t actually have a scent.1Alstroemeria . ( n.d . ) . Kew Royal Botanic Gardens . Retrieved March 9 , 2023 , fromhttps://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:326331-2
However , their looks and enduringness pretty much make up for that .
The plant will well last until the end of summertime when in the soil in the garden and for several weeks as cut flowers .
pawl and cat lovers will be proud of to hear that Alstroemeria and its unlike motley are pet - friendly .
Overview
PreferredFull Sun / Partial Shade
ExposureExposed or Sheltered
Height0.5 – 1 M
Spread0.1 – 0.5 K
Bloom TimeJune – August
PreferredMost Soil Types
Peruvian Lilies resplendent as a herbaceous border
MoistureMoist but well drain
pHAny
The color that the Alstroemeria can clear up your garden , or indoors with , are rainbow - similar and include lily-livered , ruby-red , pink , purple , livid , lilac , peach , orange and even downhearted or green .
“ Like Dahlias , Alstroemerias are a bold , bright statement in the garden , but perhaps have n’t regained fashionable position in the same way , ” says Master of Horticulture Colin Skelly .
“ I love them ( the bolder and brighter , the better ! ) because they are great for cut blossom grow and as a relatively dispirited maintenance but high impact garden plant . ”
The leaves of this industrial plant are long and slightly shaped like a horseman ’s lance , adding to its attractiveness .
The patterns are fascinating too ; it ’s possible to choose from stripe and lentigo and even two - tone petals .
Alstroemeria can be grow directly in the garden soil ( they make splendid border blooms ) or nurtured in containers .
How To Grow Alstroemeria
Alstroemeria can be purchased easily from garden centres and nurseries around the UK .
Such is the popularity of the plants that they are always in need so vendor lean to be well - stocked with .
Florists , in exceptional , buy the grown flowers in batches .
Peruvian Lilies growing wild in the UK countryside
you could buy them in containers or as au naturel root word tubers – most gardeners verify by the former since they are easy to mature and be given to be disperse from calibre plants .
Planting Alstroemeria
Sow Alstroemeria seeded player in the spring or summer months , using a good seed compost .
It is dependable to germinate clandestine in a propagator or at least somewhere affectionate such as a heated or sunny spot in the greenhouse , a southern - facing window ledge or conservatory .
Certainly , the plants should only be planted outside once there is no further hazard of frost on the ground ( as this will kill new seedling ) .
This will plain variegate depending on where in the UK you live .
They opt the soil to be promiscuous and inscrutable ; preferably fill with quality compost and mulch – at least for the first duo of years while the beginning grow .
And talking of the roots , these are brittle so take the utmost care if you contrive on transplanting any of your Alstroemeria to other areas of the garden or into pots .
It ’s best to embed the root down as far as eight inches if possible .
Alstroemeria Care
Alstroemeria prefers gay dapple in which to flourish , but they are brave enough to cope with partly - shaded sphere too .
They will even flourish at the bottom of a sunny - facing wall .
In term of the soil , preferably it should n’t only be unclouded , mysterious and exposed to the sun , but also organic .
Chalk , clay , moxie or loam are usually all right .
However , if the soil is too flaxen then compost should aid with body of water retention issues and the plant can be water regularly .
If the soil is laboured with clay then the Alstroemeria only wo n’t grow and will die off .
average - heavy soil can work if gravel or ripe manure is mixed in with it to help with drainage and nourishment .
Mulch them with bark for the first two year to give them special protection .
Make indisputable too that the grease is free draining and slightly acidulous to give the plants the best chances of growing .
Give the plants surplus aid if you ’re grow from tubers .
As the plant grow , they may want to be supported with interest or pea plant sticks .
It ’s vulgar for the plants to acquire to around six inches , while they will spread across the garden in an orbit measuring from 18 - 30 inch , which is why it ’s fantabulous for prime margin .
you could expect to get around 6 - 8 flower per stem from your Alstroemeria if you prune it regularly .
It wo n’t remain flowering unless deadened flowerheads are off ; doing so allow the fresh stems to brandish .
The way to prune these plants aright is to lightly pull the stalk of the dead peak from the base of the industrial plant ( rather than cutting with shear ) .
Cutting the flowers have harm to the meristems under the soil and they will break .
Having articulate that , if you require to use the flowers for a bouquet then cut the stalks during their first year .
After that simply pull them out from their al-Qaida as you would the numb flowers .
It ’s a good idea to keep water your Alstroemeria when first plant in society to assure the soil remain moist .
Once they start to appear through the filth you’re able to hack back but they do need to be watched for their first two years .
Just be careful not to overwater so that the soil becomes soak wet , since this can lead to fungus and theme rot and which will definitely signal the end of your beautiful blooms .
FAQs
Alstroemerias are tuberous perennial with deep and thick roots ( once established ) .
This means that they will develop back year - on - yr and even grow in sizing each time .
They are able to do this because although the stems die over winter , the roots remain healthy , allowing the plant to reclaim the following year .
plainly purchase seeds from your local garden centre or collect them yourself from existing Alstroemeria plants in your garden .
Plant them in seed starting tray ( having pre - soak them overnight ) and grow them shelter in the glasshouse until you ’re quick to transfer some of the seedling into soil or containers out of doors in the summer , and laid out around 12 column inch asunder .
In terms of maturate clock time , it should take around six week for the seedlings to acquire .
They should be protected with mulch as they grow and cover with drinking straw in the winter for the first two years until the roots are firmly and deeply establish in the soil .
Alstroemeria place under the categoryof ‘ stout perennials ’ .
They are up to of endure vivid frosts up to -20 ° C , provided they are properly mulched and their root system are established and deep enough ( ordinarily after around two years of planting ) .
Use the plant life to liven up and really add colour to the borders of your garden .
As emasculated flowers , they can boost the colour and height of a bouquet .
Taller variety of the plant , such as ‘ Orange Glory ’ and ‘ Apollo ’ , for instance , can add stature to a vase of flush .
The colours of the dissimilar types of Alstroemeria are so vibrant that they can be used to clash with other flowers or add interest when mixed in with paler and less interesting blooms .
When choosing flowers for an arrangement , always go for those which are just set about to open up so that the arrangement will last longer .
