Alstroemeria, commonly known as the Peruvian Lily or Lily of the Incas, is celebrated for its dramatic, trumpet-shaped blooms and impressive longevity in a vase. Native to the Andes mountains of South America, this perennial plant offers a spectrum of vibrant colors including white, yellow, red, orange, pink, and purple, often accented with speckles or streaks. A single stem can yield multiple flowers, providing abundant color and volume in floral arrangements. Alstroemeria is valued both as an outstanding cut flower and a robust garden perennial.
Purchasing Alstroemeria as Cut Flowers
Local florists are an excellent source for cut Alstroemeria, typically providing the highest quality stems and the widest selection of unique colors. Florists often receive their supply directly from wholesalers, ensuring the flowers have been properly pre-treated. This pre-treatment is necessary because Alstroemeria is sensitive to ethylene gas, which causes wilting and petal drop.
For casual purchases, many grocery stores and supermarkets stock Alstroemeria, usually at a more accessible price. When selecting stems, look for bunches where the buds are closed but already showing a hint of color. This indicates they are ready to open over the next few days. Freshness indicators include strong stem strength and the absence of yellowing foliage, suggesting the flowers have not been stored for an excessive amount of time.
Wholesale clubs are an option for buyers needing large quantities for an event or frequent arrangement changes. Buying in bulk offers a lower price per stem, but buyers should confirm the packaging and display conditions. Ensure the flowers have been properly hydrated and kept cool. Regardless of the source, always inspect the stems for brown petal edges or a water-soaked appearance, which indicates diminished quality.
Finding Alstroemeria Plants and Rhizomes
To grow Peruvian Lilies, purchase live plants or rhizomes from physical garden centers and nurseries. Local garden centers often carry varieties adapted to the regional climate and soil conditions, and staff can provide expert guidance. These businesses usually sell Alstroemeria as established potted plants, which minimizes transplant shock and allows for immediate planting after the threat of frost has passed.
Big-box home improvement stores also stock Alstroemeria during the peak spring and summer planting seasons. When purchasing a potted plant, check for healthy, dark green foliage and a robust root system that is not excessively root-bound. Alstroemeria grows from tuberous roots, not true bulbs, so a healthy root mass is necessary to spread and produce blooms year after year.
Purchasing Rhizomes
Gardeners can also purchase rhizomes, or bare roots, which are the plant’s specialized underground storage organs. These are typically sold dormant and require planting in early spring. Rhizomes offer a cost-effective way to acquire many plants, though they take longer to establish than potted plants. The rhizomes should feel firm and plump, showing no signs of desiccation or mold, and must be clearly labeled with the variety name and hardiness zone information.
Navigating Online Suppliers and Mail Order
Online shopping provides access to the widest diversity of Alstroemeria varieties, including unique cultivars not commonly found in local stores. Specialized bulb and rhizome retailers are a source for dormant bare roots, often offering hybrid varieties like the ‘Inca’ series. When ordering dormant bare roots, confirm the shipping schedule aligns with your local planting season, as these shipments are often pre-ordered months in advance.
Large online plant marketplaces and reputable mail-order nurseries also sell actively growing Alstroemeria plants in small pots or plugs. Check the seller’s reviews and reputation, focusing on feedback regarding the condition of live plants upon arrival and the accuracy of labeling. Understand shipping logistics, as plants shipped during their active growing season must be packaged to minimize damage to the brittle roots and foliage.
Bulk Cut Flowers
For large-scale needs, such as events, specialized online cut flower sellers and wholesalers offer bulk quantities of stems. These suppliers typically ship overnight directly from the farm, ensuring maximum freshness. Buyers must be prepared to process and hydrate the stems immediately upon receipt. Always verify the supplier’s guarantee policy, which should clearly state the terms for replacement or refund if the products arrive in poor condition.