Alstroemeria Majestic Mazé

Alstroemeria Majestic 'Maze' brings its exceptionally pure white colour to this excellent series of Majestic Inca Lilies. They are all vigorous and hardy, quickly forming beautiful clumps that bloom from late spring until late in the season. Stunning in flower beds where they can be seen from afar, these alstroemerias also provide excellent cut flowers that last a long time in a vase. They are perennial plants that reappear year after year if cared for with rich, well-draining soil and regular watering during dry spells. You can plant them in full sun or partial shade, in a flower bed sheltered from strong winds 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 'Maze' quickly forms dense clumps from spring onwards, with numerous leafy stems reaching approximately 85 cm (34in) in height when in bloom, with a similar spread. Flowering occurs from June to October, without interruption if the soil remains moist. Each flower stem bears several 5-6 cm (2in) flowers, grouped in terminal umbels. They consist of 3 small central petals striped with brown on a white background without any trace of yellow or pink, surrounded by 3 slightly wider petals of the same pure white, tinged with green at the tip. The abundant foliage is distributed along the stems. The leaves are dark green with a bluish tint. The foliage and stems disappear in winter, and only the slightly creeping base with fleshy roots remains underground. The roots are sensitive to the shock of transplantation, especially in older plants.

Alstroemeria Maze is a magnificent border plant with flowers that last a long time in a vase, up to 2 weeks if you take care to change the water every day 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 (Golden Drop, Silver Moon). It can also be combined with grasses; Stipa, small Miscanthus, or Muhlenbergia capillaris will accompany its flowering with their foliage and delicate blooms. In a large flower pot, you can associate this colourful variety with blue lobelias or Diamond Frost Euphorbia, for example.