Alstroemeria has been hybridized extensively. It has become a very popular cut flower and can be grown from seed. See Alstroemeria for information about and pictures of species. In some garden situations they spread more than is wished and in poor soil without much summer water they don't seem to bloom very well and therefore make a large area of leaves only.
Alstroemeria 'Little Eleanor' This is one of a dwarf strain grown in Australia. Photo by Paul Tyerman.
Tall hybrids. These grow outside easily on the North Coast of California. No particular watering, fertilizing or soil preference. They grow and bloom in both full sun and part shade. Photos by Susan Hayek.
Short hybrids
Alstroemeria ligtu hybrids, the 'Peruvian' lilies from your grandmother's garden. Four to five feet high, hardy and vigorous to the point of being invasive. An ideal first alstroemeria to grow from seed because they flower in the first year and germination is relatively easy. Stems are brittle and floppy, and a cats cradle of string and sticks is required. Clarence Elliott returned to England from the Andes in 1927 with Alstroemeria haemantha and it was then crossed with Alstroemeria ligtu angustifolia sent back by Harold Comber also from the Andes in 1925 to produce the ligtu hybrids. Alstroemeria haemantha is now known as Alstroemeria ligtu var. ligtu. See Alstroemeria ligtu. First two photos David Pilling, remainder Janos Agoston.
Photos by David Pilling. The first 4 are of flowers and then development of stigma. Photo 5 shows ripening seed pods. Seed pods explode when ripe.
