Alstroemeria psittacina

Alstroemeria psittacina is a particularly refined Inca lily, quite different from the classic varieties. It is also known as the Peruvian Lily, Parrot Flower, Parrot Lily, Princess Lily, or New Zealand Christmas Bell. It is recognizable by its much less open flowers, which are finely tubular, strongly coloured from crimson red to brownish purple on a green background. The flowers are beautifully enhanced by the emerald green foliage. This Peruvian lily is cultivated like its Inca lily cousins, in open ground in regions that are not too harsh in winter, or in a pretty pot. It tolerates partial shade well.

Alstroemeria psittacina (synonym Alstroemeria pulchella) is a perennial herbaceous plant with underground tubers from the Alstroemeriaceae family. This botanical species is native to eastern Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay, where it is found in a tropical savanna habitat. The stump is composed of fleshy, weak trailing roots, which ensure its propagation over time. The plant forms a beautiful bushy clump reaching about 60 cm (24in) in height by 40 cm (16in) in width from spring onwards. The foliage consists of erect stems covered with leathery, lanceolate, narrow leaves of a beautiful emerald green. It usually flowers in June-July in our climates, but at Christmas in the southern hemisphere, such as in New Zealand, for example. It takes the form of terminal umbels, arising at the end of long tubular and powdery stems tinted with mauve-purple. Each umbel gathers 3 to 8 flowers. Each flower is a long narrow tube slightly flaring, of irregular shape. The edge of the petals is streaked with green and cream, on a more or less dark red background. The inside of the flower is streaked with dark red on a green background, the throat is orange-red. The above-ground, deciduous vegetation disappears in winter.

Alstroemeria psittacina, despite its strongly exotic appearance, is relatively hardy, down to -10 °C, and even more if the stump is well protected from moisture and excessive frost during winter. Its refined trumpet-shaped flowers create a colourful spectacle in flower beds or on the terrace in summer. For example, associate it with not too tall grasses, echinaceas, or lilies. The flowers of this Peruvian lily last 2 weeks in a vase.