Alstroemeria Pitchounes Lola

Asltroemeria Pitchounes Lola brings its superb intense pink colour to this series of particularly compact and floriferous Peruvian lilies. The plant transforms into a beautifully rounded display for weeks, covered with delicate little lily flowers. They are carried by very strong and weather-resistant low stems. This not very hardy perennial plant proves easy to grow as an annual and requires very little maintenance. It is simply perfect in garden pots and containers. You can place it in partial shade or in the sun, in a light, rich, and moist soil.

Alstroemeria Pitchounes Lola is a recent variety belonging to a series of hybrids selected for their very compact habit and prolific flowering. Peruvian lilies are the result of hybridization between several tuberous species native to South America, particularly the Chilean Andes. These high-altitude plants belonging to the Alstroemeriaceae family are more or less hardy, appreciate moist, well-drained soils, in lightly wooded and cool areas. Slow to establish, they can disappear or... become invasive! Quirky and fantastic plants, very sensitive to growing conditions, they are "indestructible" once you have found the right spot for them.

Pitchounes 'Lola', like all the plants in the series, is easy to grow in good moist potting soil. The plant quickly forms dense and rounded clumps with leafy stems that do not exceed 25-30 cm (10-12in) in height when flowering, with a spread of 30 cm. Flowering continues uninterrupted from May-June to October. The open flowers are gathered in terminal umbels. They are composed of 3 small central petals with a fuchsia-red pink central area and a small golden yellow spot on a bright pink background, surrounded by 3 wider petals, also coloured with bright pink and a fuchsia central zone. The foliage is arranged on the upper part of the stems. The leaves of this variety are medium green-blue in colour. The plant disappears in winter, only the trailing stump with fleshy roots remains underground, which is resistant to frost down to -5°C. The stump is sensitive to the shock of transplantation, especially in older plants.

Alstroemeria Pitchounes 'Lola' is an excellent variety for decorating garden pots and containers for weeks. On the patio or balcony, it forms a display of flowers that rivals the brilliance of balcony geraniums. Along the edge of a border, this plant will blend well, for example, with other Pitchounes varieties or with grasses; Stipa, small Miscanthus or Muhlenbergia capillaris will accompany its autumn colours with their foliage and magnificent late season blooms. You can also plant blue lobelias or Ceratostigma plumbaginoides at its base, with intense blue flowers and red foliage in October. A marvel!