Crocus collections

alstroemeria

Buy my collection of 3 Alstroemeria plants, 1 of each variety for only £14.99, or buy 2 collections for £29.98 and get another collection free

I love Alstroemerias, they make such good garden plants and excellent cut flowers. A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of a long 11 hour return rail journey to visit a trials ground in Angers, France to view the trials of Alstroemerias bred by Ernst Turc who are world famous breeders and have been breeding Dahlias since the 1960's and Alstroemerias for over 12 years. Coincidentally, they bred one of the most famous Dahlias ever - 'Chat Noir'. Val Bourne wrote a lovely article on Alstroemerias and the keys to their success only a few weeks ago in the Telegraph, in which she mentioned Turc's breeding and the fact that some of their varieties are on trial with the Royal Horticultural Society.

I have visited the RHS trial grounds regularly over the last 3 years and viewed all the plants on trial. The Turc varieties have been bred for hardiness (they are certainly more hardy than the ligtu hybrids) and in the exposed RHS trial grounds at Wisley they coped well with the last 2 very cold and snowy winters we have just had. Val Bourne also mentioned in her article some excellent advice given by nurseryman Viv Marsh, that plants should be given an 8 inch bark mulch in their first winter to allow the plants to establish. I would also say this is critical advice and if followed, you too should have success with Alstroemerias, though it should be noted that they always tend to take 2 years after planting to flourish and reach their eventual heights. It is well worth the wait when you see the results.

All of the varieties I recommend are suitable for both borders as well as growing for cut flowers:

Alstroemeria 'Cahors'
I was really taken by this variety when I saw it at the RHS AGM trials and I am hedging my bets for this to be an AGM contender when the RHS announce their trial results. It has pretty painted face-like features, with the pale pink flowers having deep pink markings and a yellow flecked throat. Grows to 32in (80cm) tall.

Alstroemeria 'Sirius'
This lovely rose pink flowered variety has a yellow flecked throat. Its simply a stunning colour. Grows to 2ft (65cm) tall.

Alstroemeria 'Satrurne'
The large outer petals of this exotic-looking cultivar have heart-shaped tips and a warm apricot-yellow hue, while the yellow inner petals have numerous near-black markings. Grows to 2ft (65cm) tall.

Buy my collection of 3 Alstroemeria plants, 1 of each variety above for only £14.99, or buy 2 collections for £29.98 and get another collection free. That's 9 plants in total - 2 of each variety plus another 1 of each variety free, saving £14.99. Supplied as bare root plants.

Garden care: Alstroemerias will need some protection in their firast year or two, so only plant out when all danger of frost has passed.Set the bare roots out carefully onto well-prepared soil, or if planting into pots, use a good, multi-purpose compost. The plant will grow from the rhizome, not the fleshy storage bulb, so it is important that any bud on the rhizome is pointing upwards before being covered with 7 - 8cm (3") soil. Keep the soil moist whilst the plant starts to grow and develop, which should be in spring. Newly planted Alstroemerias should be given a very generous 20cm (8") deep mulch of chipped bark in their first winter to help the plants become established. In subsequent autumns, provide a dry mulch of bracken or bark chippings will help protect the crowns. After flowering cut back the faded flower-stems, but make sure you always wear gloves when working with Peruvian lilies, as contact with the foliage may cause skin irritation.

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