Family: Alstroemeriaceae
Common name: Peruvian lily, Yellow alstroemeria, Lily of the incas, Golden Peruvian Lily, Golden Lily of the Incas, Chilean lily, Inca lily
Peruvian lily is a plant that blooms profusely like the lilies, with stunningly beautiful, bright-colored flowers that look like orchids. These plants are native to South America, but is now very commonly grown as ornamental plants the UK, New Zealand, and Australia.
Plant characteristics
Peruvian lilies grow to a height of 1 meter with slender, erect, green stems that are covered with narrow green or greyish-green leaves.
They have fleshy roots that spread well absorbing moisture from the soil. These plants grow bushy, clumps with their well-branched stems and also through small plants that grow from root rhizomes.
Leaves are narrow, lance-shaped, about 10 cm long, with a smooth margin. They are reasonably sturdy and long-lasting in spite of their delicate looks, and hence these plants make excellent cut flowers, along with their long-lasting flowers.
Flowers of the Peruvian lily are quite a marvel, blooming in large clusters in vibrant colors, and intricate patterns. They are about 5 cm in diameters and comes in various eye-catching shades like pink, yellow, orange, red, purple, white, lavender, and salmon.
They are marked with spots and streaks in red, brown, or black, three of the inner petals having more markings, and three of the outer petals having multiple colors, but no markings.
These beautiful markings, and bright colors make them very popular among gardeners, and very attractive to pollinators. They can be grown in parks or home gardens in flower beds, pots, or a tiny bit of soil near the compound wall.
They bloom profusely in spring and summer filling your garden with vibrant colors and beautiful butterflies.
Once pollinated, the flowers produce capsule-like fruits that contain several black seeds, which fall to the ground and produce more plants. They can also lie dormant in the soil during winter months, germinating when the right weather conditions are back.
Gardening Tips
Peruvian lilies can thrive in bright sunlight or partial shade, and well-drained soil. Over watering or water logging can lead to stem rot.
Fertilize regularly during growing and blooming season and overwinter the plants indoors, if possible. In windy areas, the tall stems might need staking or support to help them support the numerous bunches of flowers.
These plants are quite hardy and can survive drought, cold weather, and poor soil conditions. They are mostly grown as ornamental plants, or for cut-flowers.
Peruvian lily plant sap can cause skin irritations, and so it is advisable to wear gloves while handling the plant or pruning it.
They are considered invasive in some parts of Australia, where they have escaped cultivation and is spreading rampantly.
Propagation
Propagation is through seeds or root rhizomes. Propagation through rhizomes is the best since the new plants retain the color and flower characteristics of the parent plant better.
Photographed at: Covent garden, London
