Alstroemeria Pitchounes Lily Rose

Dwarf Alstroemeria Pitchounes 'Lily Rose' is a miniature Peruvian Lily distinguished by its long-lasting pink flowering, its light fragrance and its small size. This variety is perfectly suited to flowering pots, planters and low borders. But to keep it from one year to the next, it will need to be overwintered frost-free.

This variety belongs to the Alstroemeriaceae family. Alstroemeria ‘Lily Rose’ is a horticultural cultivar from the Pitchounes series, selected by Turcieflor, a French breeder and producer specialising in this genus. This series brings together dwarf alstroemerias, chosen for their floriferousness and particularly compact habit.
Like other alstroemerias, ‘Lily Rose’ is a tuberous perennial: its fleshy crown stores reserves, then develops its vegetation in spring. The plant forms a small, dense, rounded clump, 20 to 25 cm in height and 30 to 40 cm in width. The stems are short, sturdy, and resistant to rain and light winds. The medium green foliage is composed of narrow, elongated, flexible leaves, distributed along the stems. Flowering extends from May-June to September, sometimes until October in mild climates. The flowers, gathered in small terminal clusters, measure about 4 cm in diameter. They are pink, with a lighter centre and fine, darker streaks on the inner petals. Its breeder also mentions a light fragrance, noticeable up close.
This selection is not very hardy, down to -5/ -6 °C depending on conditions. In cold, heavy or wet winter soil, the crown can be damaged. In regions with marked winters, it is a good idea to grow it in a pot so it can be sheltered from frost.

Plant Peruvian Lily ‘Lily Rose’ near the house so one can better enjoy its charm and generosity. It is perfect in a pot, a planter or the front of a border. Its pink colouring will be enhanced by the almost black foliage of Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’, the coppery clumps of Carex testacea ‘Prairie Fire’, the white flowers of Tulbaghia violacea ‘Savannah Lightning’ and the soft pink small daisies of Erigeron glaucus ‘Sea Breeze’.

At Turcieflor, the Pitchounes were named in honour of the children and grandchildren of the family, giving this line of miniature varieties a very personal history.