Dwarf Alstroemeria Princess Lilies
Let me introduce you to my all-time favorite plant for the home and patio garden – dwarf alstroemeria!
Dwarf varieties of alstroemeria, also called princess lilies or Inca lilies, are specially bred for sterile flowers to prevent invasive re-seeding and to result in nearly nonstop blooming for months in the home garden.
Alstroemeria provide a lot of charm for such a small package! Topping out at just 10-15” tall, these plants produce attractive masses of lush, tropical foliage – sometimes with beautiful variegation! – and cover themselves with blooms spring through fall.
Intricately marked Alstroemeria blooms are described as having contrasting “whiskers”, “lashes” and “freckles” along with rouged or flushed “cheeks”. Alstroemeria blooms are deer resistant, highly attractive to butterflies, and are exceptional cut flowers, lasting a full two weeks in a vase. Happy in the ground or in containers, Alstroemeria will grow and bloom in full sun, partial shade to mostly shade. In my garden, I find those getting morning sun and afternoon shade look their very best and produce the most blooms over the season.
Though hardy just in zones 8-11, Alstroemeria will grow and bloom in any climate spring through fall, and can be over wintered indoors where winters turn really cold.
At Easy to Grow Bulbs, we offer a wide range of Alstroemeria plants growing in 4-inch pots, ready to fill your garden with color! Will you be planting Alstroemeria this spring? If you do - I know you will not be disappointed! :) Please leave a comment to let me know what you think!
Check back for more articles on bulbs and plants, and gardening in general. 'Til then...
Happy Gardening!