Description

Alsroemeria – Peruvian lily

There are about 50 species of tuberous and rhizomatous perennials, in this genus  They provide finest cut flowers. They derive from South America.  They from clumps of  erect wiry stems that carry scattered thin 3-5” mid to gray green leaves that are linear to lance shaped and twisted appear on the upper half of the stems.  From spring to summer funnel shaped 6 tepaled 1 ½-4” long flowers appear with petals variously spotted or streaked.  Great plant for a mix or herbaceous border.  Contact with foliage may aggravate skin allergies. Plant tubers 8” deep in late summer or early autumn.  Outdoors grow in moist but well drained fertile soil in sun or partial shade, they will only tolerate short drops in temperatures to 5 degrees Fahrenheit. Indoors grow in mix loam leaf mold and sharp sand.  During water season water freely and apply a balance liquid fertilizer monthly, water sparingly winter. Let establish for a year then divide. Prone to Gray mold and variety of virus disease also occur as well as spider mites and slug. Alstroemeria psittacina – Alstroemeria pulchella – New Zealand Christmas Bell – This tuberous perennial grows 3’ feet tall and 18” wide.  Bearing 4-6 rayed umbels, each ray with 1-3 green flowers heavily over laid with deep red around Christmas time. It spreads rapidly and can become invasive. Zones 8-10