Alstroemeria Duc d'Anjou Charles

Alstroemeria Duc d'Anjou 'Charles' is part of a series of medium-sized, hardy and abundant Peruvian lilies. It is suitable for cut flowers as well as ornamental beds where it can accompany other perennials. It bears an abundance of lavender-pink flowers streaked with brown from early summer until the first frost. The plant can overwinter in the ground in most regions, under a mulch that will protect the stumps from cold and excessive moisture.

Alstroemeria 'Charles' is a recent horticultural variety, obtained near Angers. All modern Peruvian lilies are hybrids of several tuberous species native to South America, particularly the Chilean Andes. These high-altitude plants belong to the Alstroemeriaceae family. They are somewhat hardy, and appreciate moist but well-drained soils in lightly wooded areas. They are slow to establish. Depending on growing conditions, they will either die or become invasive! They are almost indestructible once you have found the right spot for them.

Like all plants in the series, Alstroemeria Duc d'Anjou 'Charles' can withstand short frosts of around -15°C (5°F) if planted in well-drained soil and protected under mulch. The plant quickly forms dense clumps of leafy stems 50cm (20in) tall when flowering, with a spread of 40cm (16in). Flowering occurs from June to October. The flowers are grouped in terminal umbels. They consist of 3 narrow petals in mauve-pink streaked with brown, with the two upper ones having small yellow spots, surrounded by 3 wider petals in the same lavender-pink. The foliage is arranged on the upper part of the stems. The leaves are dark green with a slight bluish tinge. The plant disappears in winter, leaving only the trailing stump with fleshy roots underground. The roots are sensitive to transplantation shock, especially in older plants.

Alstroemeria Duc d'Anjou 'Charles' is suitable for planting in beds where it forms an exotic bouquet that lasts for weeks. Place it in small groups among grasses, daylilies, gaillardias, or heleniums, for example. You can also plant blue lobelias or Ceratostigma plumbaginoides with intense blue flowers and reddish foliage in October at its base. Its flowers can last for up to 3 weeks if you change the water every week, regularly remove any leaves that have fallen into the water, and recut the base of the stems.