How to plant and grow alstroemeria
Sarah's guide to growing alstroemeria, including which varieties to choose for brilliant displays in the garden and in the vase.
1 x 9cm pot 511131-1 | £12.95 |
Delivery early May
[?]
When in stock, please allow up to 2 weeks for delivery.
|
|
|
3 x 9cm pots 511131-3 | £34.50 |
Delivery early May
[?]
When in stock, please allow up to 2 weeks for delivery.
|
|
Or buy this as part of our Dark and Rich Alstroemeria Collection.
I've been looking for a dark, rich Cardinal purple alstroe for ten years – honestly. Well, here it is.
Genus | Alstroemeria |
Variety | Cardinal Purple |
Type | Hardy once established (will need mulching through winter) |
Common Name | Peruvian Lily |
Border Position | Front, Middle |
Soil Type | Acid, Fertile, Neutral |
Scent | Unscented |
Site | Full Sun, Part Shade |
Moisture | Moist but Well-drained |
Height | 60cm (24in) |
Spacing | 45cm (18in) |
Sowing, Seeds, Planting | Plant alstroemerias in a sheltered site, in part shade or full sun, any time between May and August (once the frosts are over). Add plenty of grit to the planting hole, plus plenty of organic matter and sprinkle mycorrhizal fungi (Rootgrow) into the base of the planting hole. Water well after planting. If you have a greenhouse it is well worth growing alstromeria inside too. Pot them up into 5L pots and keep frost free. Feed and water well once they start to shoot in spring and they should give you an almost continual flower harvest. Propagate by division in April. The roots are fragile and need to be lifted and divided with care and replanted immediately. |
Care Tips | Add a slow-release fertiliser in the spring and water regularly in dry weather. Stake plants so they don't collapse in the wind or rain, and keep picking the flowers - the best way is to pull them rather than cutting. Mulch deeply for the first couple of winters and if you live in a cooler part of the country. Hardy with a mulch once established. Handle with gloves, so that the sap does not cause irritation. |
Flowering | June - September |
Vase Life | Arrange with a drop of bleach in their flower water, and with new water every 4-5 days they should last 3 weeks in a vase. |
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sarah's guide to growing alstroemeria, including which varieties to choose for brilliant displays in the garden and in the vase.
Sarah gives you tips on picking and growing alstroemeria.
Growing alstroemerias from the newly bred hybrid types – developed by people such as the late James Smith, Parigo and Mark Bridgen – will...
Plant Delivery - When in stock, please allow up to 2 weeks for delivery.
Click here to find out more information about our delivery rates and times.
Alstroemeria 'Cardinal Purple' reviews
Reviewed 31st July 2019 by Jane One died on opening packet - second one didn't grow and third one - waiting to flower. Very expensive too |
Reviewed 31st July 2019 by Mark Great colour. Although flowering well enough will doubtless be better next year |
Reviewed 31st July 2019 by Sally My plant arrived well packaged and in excellent condition. It’s settled in and is about to flower |
Reviewed 31st July 2019 by Marianne Excellent dark plum colour. Blooming well. |
Reviewed 31st July 2019 by Anne Not in flower so far. Good sturdy plant |
Reviewed 25th November 2018 by John Malcolm Sharpe Excellent quality plants that have taken strongly and flowered very well for their first year |
Reviewed 22nd November 2018 by Peter Very good service and plant arrived well packaged and in good condition. A challenging season for new plants, but this one did flower in late September. |
Reviewed 22nd November 2018 by Patricia Excellent service and strong and healthy plants |
Reviewed 21st November 2018 by Jackie Absolutely gorgeous! Did so well and much admired. I've mulched deeply now that the cold weather is here. Recommend this, it's a stunning colour, also lasts well in the vase. |
Reviewed 14th November 2018 by Mike Plants healthy and responded well when planted in my raised border |
Reviewed 14th November 2018 by Chris The plant has developed very nicely and look forward to seeing it flourish next year |
Reviewed 19th September 2018 by Malcolm The plant was an excellent specimen, it was well packaged and the service was first class. |
Reviewed 19th September 2018 by David Grew excellent plants tall plants, great colour |
Reviewed 12th September 2018 by Linda Good healthy plant delivered and is presently still in flower . The service,packaging and delivery are always first class. |
Reviewed 3rd September 2018 by Mrs Chapman All three purple alstromerias arrived in good order and thrived well in pots - one being planted in a proper planter - the other two eventually being planted into the garden. The one in the planter has done really well as did the two in the garden all producing lovely blooms. However, just lately on the the 'garden' ones has begun to look unwell and I think will not survive. So overall, very pleased - lovely colour and producing good blooms - just a shame about the one that I think will no do and I have no idea why as they have all been treated the same. |