Alstroemeria (Peruvian Lily)

Why Should I Grow Alstroemeria?

Growing Alstroemeria in your garden offers numerous benefits. Here are a few reasons why you might want to consider it:

• Long-lasting Blooms: Alstroemeria is known for its long blooming season. From late spring to early fall, you’ll enjoy an abundance of vibrant, lily-like flowers that provide a continuous display of color.
• Excellent Cut Flowers: Alstroemeria flowers have an impressive vase life, often lasting up to two weeks. This makes them a favorite for floral arrangements, whether for personal enjoyment or for special events.
• Attracts Pollinators: These plants are beloved by pollinators like bees and butterflies, so they can help support local ecosystems.
• Diverse Color Palette: Alstroemeria comes in a variety of hues, including pink, red, orange, white, yellow, and purple, often with attractive streaks or speckles. This diversity allows for versatile design opportunities in the garden.
• Low Maintenance: Once established, Alstroemeria is relatively easy to care for. It’s drought-tolerant and doesn’t require regular fertilization.
• Good for Containers: Due to their compact size, many Alstroemeria varieties are suitable for pot culture, making them a good choice for patio or balcony gardens.
• Deer Resistance: Alstroemeria is generally considered deer resistant. While no plant can be completely immune to deer browsing, Alstroemeria has a reputation for being less appealing to deer due to its bitter taste and tough foliage.

Remember, however, that Alstroemeria can be somewhat invasive due to its tendency to spread, so consider this when choosing its location or opt for container planting to control its spread.

Garden Design with Alstroemeria

Incorporating Alstroemeria into your garden design adds vibrant colors and an exotic flair to your landscape. Here are some design ideas:

• Mixed Borders: Due to their wide array of colors, Alstroemeria flowers work well in mixed borders. You can create an eye-catching color theme by pairing them with other perennials that bloom around the same time. Consider neighboring them with plants that contrast their shape for visual interest, like spiky ornamental grasses or rounded shrubs.
• Container Gardens: Alstroemeria are well-suited to container gardens. They can be used as the “thriller” component in the classic “thriller, filler, spiller” container arrangement. Their vibrant blooms stand tall and make a statement, while shorter plants fill in the middle and trailing plants spill over the edge of the pot.
• Cutting Gardens: If you enjoy having fresh flowers in your home, consider dedicating a section of your garden to Alstroemeria and other cut flowers. This allows you to enjoy their beauty indoors without depleting your garden’s visual appeal.
• Wildlife Gardens: Since Alstroemeria attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, they make a great addition to a wildlife garden. Combine them with other nectar-rich plants to create a haven for beneficial insects.
• Mediterranean Gardens: Alstroemeria’s drought tolerance makes it a great candidate for Mediterranean-style gardens. Combine it with other drought-tolerant plants like lavender, salvia, and succulents for a low-maintenance, water-wise garden.
• Tropical-Themed Gardens: The vibrant colors and exotic look of Alstroemeria lend themselves well to a tropical-themed garden. Pair them with cannas, hibiscus, and other boldly colored plants for a lush, tropical feel.

Companion Plants

Alstroemeria, with their vibrant colors and exotic feel, pair well with a variety of other plants. Here are some companion plants that complement them nicely:

1. Roses: The elegance of roses pairs beautifully with the exotic charm of Alstroemeria. Both plants love full sun and well-drained soil, making them easy to grow together.
2. Ornamental Grasses: The delicate, airy texture of ornamental grasses contrasts wonderfully with the bold, vibrant flowers of Alstroemeria.
3. Salvia: Both Salvia and Alstroemeria enjoy full sun and well-drained soil. Their contrasting flower shapes add visual interest to the garden.
4. Lavender: The silvery foliage and soft purple flowers of lavender make a lovely contrast to the vibrant colors of Alstroemeria.
5. Echinacea (Coneflower): Echinacea’s sturdy structure and daisy-like flowers work well with the slender stems and brightly colored blooms of Alstroemeria.
6. Phlox: The clusters of Phlox blooms create a beautiful backdrop for the striking Alstroemeria flowers.
7. Daylilies: With similar cultural needs, daylilies and Alstroemeria make good bedfellows. Both enjoy well-drained soil and plenty of sun.
8. Dahlias: The bold and extravagant blooms of dahlias provide a stunning contrast to the more delicate Alstroemeria.
9. Geraniums: Geraniums have a long blooming season that pairs well with the Alstroemeria’s own lengthy display.
10. Sedum (Stonecrop): Sedum’s succulent leaves and starry flowers provide a nice contrast to the tropical-looking Alstroemeria.

When choosing companion plants, consider the growing conditions each plant needs and try to match plants with similar requirements. This way, all plants will thrive together.

Growing Tips

Growing Alstroemeria can add a vibrant splash of color to your garden or indoor plant collection. Here are some tips for growing them successfully:

• Planting location: Alstroemeria prefers a sunny or lightly shaded spot in the garden. They need at least six hours of sunlight each day. Select a spot that is sheltered from the wind.
• Soil: They thrive best in well-drained soil. Before planting, amend your soil with compost to enhance its fertility and drainage.
• Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Overwatering can lead to root rot, which can harm the plant.
• Feeding: Alstroemeria are heavy feeders, so you’ll need to fertilize them regularly during the growing season. Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer and follow the instructions on the label for the proper dosage.
• Pruning: Pruning helps promote more blooms. Once a stem has finished flowering, pull it from the base rather than cutting it. This encourages the plant to produce more flowering stems.
• Winter Care: In colder climates, Alstroemeria will need some protection during the winter. Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of the plant in the fall to insulate the roots from the cold. Alternatively, if you’re growing them in pots, simply move them indoors before the first frost.
• Pests and Diseases: Alstroemeria is generally pest-resistant. Still, keep an eye out for common garden pests like aphids, slugs, and snails. Also, watch for signs of diseases such as root rot, which can occur if the plant is overwatered or drainage is poor.
• Propagation: The best way to propagate Alstroemeria is by division. This is best done in the spring before the plant has put on too much growth. Simply dig up the plant, divide the rhizomes, and replant them immediately.

Remember, every plant’s needs can vary based on the specific variety and the local climate, so use these tips as a general guide and adjust as needed. Happy gardening!