Peruvian Lily

Alstroemeria

A genus of long-lived perennials that are native to South America.
While most species bloom during summer, the ones from Mediterranean parts of Chile grow and flower during the winter rainy season. Thy are very deep rooted and drought tolerant. This plant resents transplanting and the thick tubers should be handled carefully. The average germination rate of the seeds is 1%. Soaking seeds in hydrogen peroxide for up to 30 minutes before planting may help

* photos taken on April 12 2012 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on July 26 2016 in Columbia, MD

Alstroemeria aurantiaca ( Peruvian Lily )
Reaches up to 3 x 3 feet.
The lance-shaped leaves are gray-green.
The trumpet-shaped flowers are borne in clusters.
Hardy zones 8 to 9 ( 6 and 7 if heavily mulched during winter ) in full sun ( some afternoon shade where very hot ) on very well drained soil. They are tougher and easier to transplant than other species and can be divided..especially if clumps grow thick and start to loose their vigor. The tubers should be planted 10 inches deep.

Alstroemeria 'Glory of the Andes'
A form of Alstromeria 'Sweet Laura' with very attractive foliage that is boldly margined in yellow.
The intense golden-yellow and orange flowers appear late spring into mid-autumn.
It is a vigorous grower, reaching up to 3.1 feet.
Hardy zones 6 to 9

Alstroemeria 'Inca Series'
Vigorous and compect, upright, reaching up to 1.7 x 2 feet.
The leaves are up to 5.5 x 1.5 inches in size. The foliage is rich deep green.
The flowers, up to 2 inches wide, appear from mid-summer into autumn and are variable in color.
The hardiest of the Alstroemerias, solidly hardy in zone 5 Michigani It requires full sun on very well drained soil.

The cultivars include

'Inca Bandit'
Intense red flowers.

* photos taken on June 10 2023 in Columbia, MD

'Inca Batavia'
has intense royal-purple flowers.

* photo taken on June 10 2023 in Columbia, MD

'Inca Candy'
Flowers are deep pink with white centers.

* photo taken on June 10 2023 in Columbia, MD

'Inca Coral'
Coral-pink flowers.

* photo taken on June 10 2023 in Columbia, MD

'Inca Gold Rush'
Golden-yellow flowers.

* photos taken on Aug 16 2024 in Bayfield, ON

'Inca Husky'
Flowers are white with peachy-pink and yellow centers.

'Inca Holland'
Intense deep orange flowers that are centered golden-yellow.

* photo taken on June 10 2023 in Columbia, MD

'Inca Ice'
Similar to 'Inca Series' except larger, reaching up to 3 x 3.3 feet in size, with very abundant flowers that are very pale pink and cream.

'Inca Joly'
Reddish-orange flowers.

* photos taken on June 10 2013 in Columbia, MD

'Inca Lolly'
Intense cherry-red flowers.

* photos taken on June 10 2023 in Columbia, MD

'Inca Magic'
White flowers with plum-purple splotches.

* photos taken on June 10 2023 in Columbia, MD

'Inca Lucky'
Flowers are white with a reddish-pink center.

'Inca Ocean'
Lavender-blue flowers

* photos taken on June 10 2023 in Columbia, MD

'Inca Replay'
Violet-purple flowers.

'Inca Safari'
Flowers are bright pinkish-orange with yellow centers that are speckled black.

* photo taken on June 10 2023 in Columbia, MD

'Inca Sundance'
Flowers are deep yellow with some red splotching.

* photos taken on June 10 2023 in Columbia, MD

'Inca White'
Flowers are pure white with plum-purple centers.

Alstroemeria 'Ligtu Hybrids'
Reaches up to 4 x 2.5 feet in size, with red, orange or yellow flowers. A single clump may produce up to 24 stems.
The narrow leaves, up to 4 inches in length, are bright green.
They are among the hardiest of all Alstroemeria. In cold winter climates, it goes dormant from mid-summer through the winter. The root systems may be up to 3 + feet deep.

Alstromeria psittacina
A vigorous growing, tuberous, semi-evergreen perennial, reaching up to 15 inches x 4 feet.
The deep red ( with brown spotting ) flowers are borne over a long season during summer.
It makes for a great cut flower. A form called 'Variegata' is nearly identical except for the attractive boldly white margined foliage.
Hardy zones 5 to 8.

Alstromeria 'Rock and Roll'
A perennial, reaching up to 3 x 2.5 feet, with yellow ( fading to creamy-white ) leaves that are margined in green.
The intense scarlet-red flowers are borne late spring into early autumn.
Hardy zones 8b to 9.

* photos taken on Apr 24 2023 in Elkridge, MD

* patent photo

Alstroemeria 'Sweet Laura'
A vigorous but slowly rhizomatous spreading perennial, reaching a maximum height of 3 feet.
The foliage is gray-green. The leaves are up to 5 x 0.7 inches in size.
The sweetly-fragrant, abundant, yellow ( spotted deep red ) flowers are borne early summer to early autumn, sometimes even until autumn frost.
Hardy zones 5 to 9 in full sun to partial shade, this hybrid is tolerant of heat and humidity in the southeastern U.S. Deer resistant.

* photos taken on Aug 1 2022 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* photos taken on July 10 2024 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD