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Name: alstroemeria, Peruvian lily, princess lily, Alstroemeria species and varieties.
Height: 75cm with many dwarf forms of around 30cm also available.
Foliage: evergreen.
Climate: cold temperate, warm temperate, arid/semi-arid, sub-tropical and tropical.
Soil: prefers deep, well-drained soil.
Position: full sun or light shade.
Flowering: clusters of trumpet flowers in many colours in spring through to autumn.
Feeding: regular feeding with a balanced, controlled-release fertiliser.
Watering: plants are quite dry tolerant once established. However, they will produce more flowers if given regular water.
Alstroemeria is an herbaceous perennial that grows up from a fleshy root system and has glossy foliage around the upright stem. Flowers appear on the top of the stem from around spring right through to autumn.
The flowers are lily or orchid-like in that they have many petals and come in a similar array of colours, including cream, yellow, orange, pink and red. They also often feature spots, flecks, stripes and two tones of colours, like lilies.
Traditionally, alstroemeria has been used to bring long-term colour to mixed garden beds. However, it can also be used in a line of a single or mixed colours as a border for a garden.
The new smaller growing forms are very good in pots, and as they flower for such a long period, they're great for decorating entrances and outdoor entertaining areas. This means they are also great if you have limited garden space.
Peruvian lilies are particularly good as cut flowers in a vase, as they will last well for several weeks.
Pro tip: if growing in a container, use a good-quality potting mix and a container that allows for the plants to expand.
Your alstroemeria won't need a lot of work, but you'll benefit from more flowers if you continuously deadhead your plants. Look for stems that have finished flowering and that are starting to set seedpods. Grab these stems close the ground and pull – the whole thing should come away from the base. Continuous deadheading will mean continuous flowers.
Container-grown plants will need re-potting every two years as a minimum. Lift and shake off most of the old potting mix. Either plant into a larger container or divide the clump by gently prising it apart, and then plant the sections into individual containers.
To help your alstroemeria produce a constant run of flowers, it is best to feed it. You can do this with a slow-release fertiliser, which should cover the entire flowering period.
Another bonus of this long-flowering beauty is that it is rarely troubled by pests or diseases. Keep your eye out for the usual suspects when it comes to insects – aphids, whiteflies and caterpillars – and control with a garden insecticide if necessary.
The Peruvian lily multiplies by division. It's one of those perennials that'll expand over time, and actually needs to be divided if it becomes crowded.
To divide your alstroemeria:
Lily: grow from a bulb in the garden or container for the showy, scented flowers.
Iris: an easy-to-grow cottage garden favourite.
Lisianthus: one of the longest-lasting of cut flowers.
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