Peruvian Lilies are great for bouquets

Lillies
Originally uploaded by that.girl

Peruvian lilies last a very long time in bouquets, especially when picked from your garden.
I admired my friend's Peruvian lilies, and bought a plant a year ago, and last month a friend dug up her lilies to move them and gave me a nice big clump, so I feel very rich indeed.
They come in many colors, often with a yellow or pink tone and with speckles, and there are also red and bronze varieties.
I keep replacing the roses in the vase of flowers on my kitchen table but the Peruvian lilies persevere, bless them.
These perennials (Alstroemeria) grow from one to four feet tall, with most growing to two feet in height. Plant the roots 6 to 8 inches deep. Recommended for zones 7 to 10, they are winter hardy if planted at the proper depth and mulched. Give them partial shade in hot summer areas and more sun in cooler areas, and plenty of water in spring and summer.

Some gardeners say these plants are invasive, even spreading into lawns, so keep that in mind. One of my two clumps is planted in a HUGE container, so that may be a good way to grow them, especially in mild climates.
I predict you will enjoy these flowers.
If you have any Peruvian lily stories or tips to share with us, please leave a comment.

Peruvian lily, Inca lily

Peruvian lily
Originally uploaded by Nemo's great uncle

A co-worker has long been tantalizing me with the bouquets she brings to work, of Peruvian lilies or Alstroemeria. The bouquets last all week, and gardeners tell me that these plants bloom and bloom and bloom.


Last weekend I treated myself and bought a one gallon Peruvian lily, called Susana, loaded with blooms, for $12.99. The main color of Susana is white/cream with markings of pale rose.
Peruvian lilies grow from tubers, in sun or part shade, and my available areas are mainly part shade, so I knew I had to meet this plant. I planted it in a gopher cage, in front of the bird bath, and where I can see it from my kitchen.

Peruvian lilies are hardy to zone 7, if mulched to zone 6, and in colder areas can be overwintered dry in peat if kept in a dark, cool place like a garage.

I look forward to many years of enjoying these flowers in my garden, and of sharing them in bouquets. I am already looking for another Peruvian lily plant, in a purple or yellow tone, to add to my garden.

This is the first time I have planted this lily.
Is there a flower new to you that you have planted recently?
Other gardeners, and ME, would love to hear about your new finds.