Alstroemeria


Alstroemeria. dr salter's hybrids © Thompson & Morgan	Alstroemeria. ligtu hybrids © Thompson & Morgan

Alstroemeria are vigorous tuberous perennials, widely grown for cut flowers, and for their contribution to the mixed herbaceous border.

The flowers appear in summer, usually in clusters at the end of thin leafy stems. These flowers come in such a wide range of shades, that there will be at least one that you will find suitable for your garden.

Varieties: -


Alstroemeria. aurantiaca	See: Alstroemeria. aurea

Alstroemeria. aurea	Syn: Alstroemeria. aurantiaca Form: Tuberous perennial Height: 3ft (1m) Spread: 2-3ft (60cm-1m) Foliage: Stems carrying lance-shaped, twisted leaves, Flowers: In summer topped by loose heads of orange flowers, tipped with green and streaked with dark red.

Alstroemeria. gayana	See: Alstroemeria. pelegrina

Alstroemeria. hookeri	Form: Tuberous perennial Height: 4-6in (10-15cm) Spread: 18-24in (45-60cm) Foliage: Many stems carrying narrow lance shaped leaves, Flowers: In summer topped with loose heads of widely flared, orange ~ suffused pink, flowers, with red and yellow spotted upper petals

Alstroemeria. Ligtu Hybrids	Form: Tuberous perennial Height: 1.5-2ft (45-60cm) Spread: 2-3ft (60-90cm) Foliage: Many stems carrying narrow, twisted, lance-shaped leaves. Flowers: In summer, topped with widely flared, flowers in shades of pink, yellow and orange, often streaked with widely contrasting colours.

Alstroemeria. Margaret 'Stacova'

Alstroemeria. 'Parigo Charm'	Form: Tuberous perennial Height: 3ft (1m) Spread: 24in (60cm) Foliage: Having narrow, twisted, mid to grey-green leaves. Flowers: In summer producing umbels of salmon pink flowers. The inner petals are primrose-yellow and streaked carmine-red

Alstroemeria. pelegrina	Syn: Alstroemeria. gayana

Alstroemeria. psittacina

Alstroemeria. 'stacova'	See: Alstroemeria. Margaret

Alstroemeria. 'Walter Flemming'	Form: Tuberous perennial Height: 3ft (1m) Spread: 2-3ft (60cm-1m) Foliage: Each leafy stem carries lance-shaped twisted leaves. Flowers: In summer the stems are topped with funnel shaped deep-yellow flowers, 2-2.5in (5-6cm) across, flushed with purple and spotted reddish purple.

Cultivation: -

Alstroemeria like moist well drained soil, in sun or partial shade.
The brittle tubers should be planted about 8in (20cm) deep in late summer or early autumn.

Alstroemeria resent being disturbed, so unless it is absolutely necessary, they should be left to grow into large clumps.

Propagation: -

Plant ripe seed in the cold frame, and transplant to pots when they have germinated. Plant out directly from pots to avoid root disturbance.

Large clumps can be divided in early spring or autumn.

Frost Hardy:

In cold winter areas the tuberous roots should be protected with a heavy mulch.

Pests & Diseases: -

Alstroemeria can suffer with viral diseases, and infected plants should be removed and destroyed (Burnt not Composted)

Slugs are also partial to midnight feasting on Alstroemeria, so use whatever slug control you feel happiest with.