Alstroemeria, or Peruvian lily, is a native of South America and a true floral trooper. Long-lasting and reliable, its tall stems are topped with an explosion of brightly coloured trumpet-like flowers which are flecked, streaked or striped with darker shades.
Although available from UK growers all year round, Alstroemeria is at its best during its natural growing season, mid-summer to mid-autumn; this is when you will get the strongest stems and most robust flowers. Grown from tubers, there are over 190 cultivars of Alstroemeria, with stems on some capable of growing up to 1.5 metres tall.
Alstroemeria Fact File
Availability: All year round.
Vase Life: 7-14 days.
Colour range: From pale white through all shades of red, yellow, orange and pink to dark purple.
Care & conditioning: Remove foliage in contact with water and change water every 3 – 4 days.
Cut away any white parts of the stem and handle with care as leaves bruise easily.
Sensitive to ethylene gas, they prefer to be in a well-ventilated spot away from direct heat.
Uses:
Hand tied bouquets.
Vase designs
Large showy traditional arrangements
Pluses: Long-lasting, tall, reliable, strong colours.
Minuses: Their bushy shape makes them largely unsuitable for contemporary work or for use as a focal flower.
To find out more about British grown Alstroemeria, and the ‘British Flowers Rock’ campaign read our interview with Alstroemeria Ben
Images www.funnyhowflowersdothat.co.uk
