Position – Full sun or part shade
Soil – Moist, well-drained
Flowering Period – Summer and Autumn
Hardiness – Fully hardy to hardy
Alstroemeria are fleshy rooted herbaceous perennials that form scattered clumps with attractive lance-shaped foliage, erect stems and elaborate, exotic looking blooms. These copious flowers are often produced in vivid colour with beautiful contrasting flecks on each petal. They are best suited in flower beds and borders within a cottage or informal garden setting. They are also a classic cut flower looking great within the home. However, there are dwarf forms which aren’t suitable for cutting and should be left in a border. You should expect to see Alstroemeria grow to an approximate height of 70cm (28”) and a spread of 40cm (16”). Please take care when handling Alstroemeria, as they are often a skin irritant.
Plant Alstroemeria between May and august in a sheltered site that has access to full sun or part shade. They are best suited to moist, well-drained soil of sand or loam within an acidic or neutral PH balance. Consider the height of your Alstroemeria and plant smaller varieties to the front of a border and taller ones at the back. If you’re growing them predominantly for cutting, make sure they are easily accessible.
Taller varieties may need staking to keep them upright during adverse weather conditions. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage additional flowering throughout the season. If you wish to utilise Alstroemeria as cut flowers, do not use secateurs or scissors but pull each stem from the base, in much the same way you would rhubarb.
It is possible to propagate Alstroemeria by division in autumn or early spring.
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