Alstroemeria Majestic Chartrene

Alstroemeria Majestics 'Chartrene' is a remarkably colourful representative of this series of Majestics Inca lilies selected for their vigour, hardiness, and extraordinary floribundity. They all have long floral stems ideal for cut flowers. This Chartrene variety offers multicoloured flowers with a brown centre, mixed with light orange, soft yellow, bright coral pink, and golden yellow. It is a perennial plant that reappears year after year if given rich and well-drained soil and regular watering in dry weather. You can place it in full sun or partial shade, in a bed sheltered from the wind that could bend the stems.

Alstroemerias, belonging to the Alstroemeriaceae family, are perennial plants with tuberous roots native to South America. The hardiest ones, like A. aurantiaca, are native to the Chilean Andes and Patagonia. Sometimes slow to establish, Inca lilies can disappear or... become invasive! Quirky but fantastic plants, very sensitive to growing conditions, they are 'indestructible' once you find the right spot for them. Horticulturists have been working for a few years to develop more reliable and resistant varieties for our wet and cold winters. The Majestics series was developed near Angers. It brings together tall hybrids that can withstand short freezes of around -15°C if the base is protected from moisture.

Alstroemeria 'Majestics Chartrene' forms quickly, from spring onwards, dense tufts composed of numerous leafy stems reaching about 80 cm (32in) in height when in flower, with a spread that is almost identical. Flowering takes place from June to October, continuously if the soil remains moist. Each floral stem carries several 5-6 cm (2in) flowers, gathered in terminal umbels. They are composed of 3 small central petals, golden yellow with brown markings, surrounded by 3 wider petals, light orange washed with tender yellow and speckled with bright coral pink. The foliage is abundant and arranged along the stems. The leaves are dark green-blue in colour. The foliage and stems disappear in winter, leaving only the slightly trailing stump with fleshy roots underground. The stump is sensitive to the shock of transplantation, especially in older plants.

Alstroemeria 'Chartrene' is a very beautiful border plant with remarkably coloured flowers that last a long time in a vase, up to 2 weeks if you remember to change the water daily and trim the stems occasionally. When well established, this exuberant plant offers a magnificent display. In the garden, Alstroemeria Majestics pairs well, for example, with smaller agapanthus varieties like Golden Drop or Silver Moon. It can also be combined with complementary grasses; Stipa, small Miscanthus or Muhlenbergia capillaris will accompany its flowering with their foliage and delicate blooms. In a large flower pot, associate this colourful variety with blue lobelias or Diamond Frost Euphorbia, for example.