Alstroemeria Duchesses d'Anjou Marguerite

Like all the Peruvian lilies in the Duchesses d'Anjou series, Alstroemeria Duchesses d'Anjou 'Marguerite' is a medium-sized variety with strong stems and abundant and prolonged flowering. It looks wonderful in flower beds and containers, as well as in bouquets. It bears pastel yellow flowers speckled with pink and heavily streaked with brown. The plant can survive winter in the ground in regions that are not too cold, under a protective mulch.

Alstroemeria Duchesses d'Anjou 'Marguerite' 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 the plants in the series, Alstroemeria Duchesses d'Anjou 'Marguerite' is easy to grow in good potting soil that remains moist. The plant quickly forms dense and rounded clumps with leafy stems not exceeding 35cm (14in) in height when flowering, with a spread of 30 to 35cm (12 to 14in). Flowering occurs from June to October. The flowers are gathered in terminal umbels. They consist of 3 narrow central petals in bright yellow streaked with brown, surrounded by 3 wider petals in a lighter yellow with a dark pink central zone, striped with light brown at the edges. The foliage is arranged on the upper part of the stems. The leaves are dark green with a slight bluish tint. 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. It can withstand temperatures down to -7°C (19.4°F).

Alstroemeria Duchesses d'Anjou 'Marguerite' is perfect for brightening up flower beds and flower boxes for weeks. On a patio or balcony, it forms a bouquet of flowers with exotic charm that rivals balcony geraniums in brilliance. In flower beds, this plant will go well, for example, with other Duchesses d'Anjou varieties, or with complementary grasses. Stipa, small miscanthus, and Muhlenbergia capillaris will accompany its autumn colours with their lush foliage and magnificent late-season blooms. You can also plant blue lobelias at its base, or Ceratostigma plumbaginoides, which boasts intense blue flowers and reddish foliage in October.