Alstroemeria

Alstroemeria are a flower shop staple because they are long lasting, come in a wide range of colors, and are available year-round. The flowers are native to South America, but have since made their way to households and gardens all across the world. Alstroemeria have also taken on several symbolic meanings, depending on their color. The pretty flowers make a lovely addition to any vase arrangement or wrapped bouquet are featured in everyday designs, sympathy flowers, and wedding and event displays.

The Science Behind Alstroemeria

Alstroemeria are members of the Alstroemeriaceae family of flowering plants. That’s a bit of a mouthful, so you may hear florists refer to this flower with the nickname, “alstro.” Others know the bloom as a Peruvian Lily or Lily of the Incas. However, Alstroemeria got its official name from the Swedish botanist, Baron Klas Van Alstroemer, who was one of the first Europeans to discover the plant and introduce it to the Western world. He collected the flower’s seeds in Spain in 1783. Today there are many hybrid versions of Alstroemeria and at least 190 different cultivars have been developed.

At its basic level, Alstroemeria is a perennial flowering plant that grows from a cluster of tubers or rhizomes. Out of the tubers grow sleek stems that bear blade-shaped leaves. Atop these stems you will find a colorful flower with six petals arranged in a trumpet shape that resembles a lily. Each stem will have anywhere from 3-6 flowers in a single cluster at the top. Alstroemeria comes in shades of purple, pink, green, white, yellow, orange, and red. There are many color variations that feature darker stripes, dots, and patterns along the petals.

Alstroemeria’s Native Habitat

Alstroemeria got the nickname “Peruvian lily” because Peru is one of its native habitats. The flower is also native to Brazil and Chile. In fact, almost all the varieties of alstroemeria can be traced to either the Briazilian or Chilean types; the main difference being that Chilean alstroemeria grows in the winter while the Brazilian variety grows in the summer.

Today, alstroemeria is an important product in the cut flower industry, and it is grown on many commercial farms throughout the world in such countries as the United States, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Madeira, and the Canary Islands. The flower’s most common use is for creating beautiful and long lasting cut flower arrangements and ornamental gardens, but it was once also considered a food source. Tubers from a variety known as Bomarea edulis were a great source of sustenance for pre-Columbian societies from Mexico-Argentina; especially considering a single plant can produce up to 20 tubers.

Fresh Alstroemeria Flower Arrangements

Alstroemeria is a flower shop favorite because it is consistently available year round, it is very long lasting, and comes in an array of colors. Alstroemeria can outlive many other cut flower varieties, lasting up to two weeks when cared for properly. It does not have a fragrance, making it a great choice for people with allergies. You can often find these blooms displayed in a bud vase at your favorite restaurant because they last a long time and they do not have a fragrance that could interfere with your meal.

These faux-lilies have also taken on symbolic meanings over the years based on their color, such as:

• Devotion: Choose red alstroemeria for a romantic Valentine’s Day or anniversary bouquet.

• Following your dreams: Green alstroemeria is a sign that there are green pastures ahead if you pursue your goals.

• Friendship: Think yellow when you want to show a sign of friendship on holidays like Galentine’s Day (February 13th) or National Best Friends Day (June 8th).

• Support: Flowers have often been given as a sign of support when words simply aren’t enough. The purity of white alstroemeria can symbolize that you are there for your friend or relative, no matter what may come.

• Survival: There are certain times in life when people must survive the unthinkable. Although pink alstroemeria may seem innocent, the color can especially symbolize female survival and overcoming the odds.

Alstroemeria compliments all types of floral arrangements and its many colors allow it to blend in with flowers of any season. Contact Kremp Florist today or stop in its brick and mortar location to shop bountiful bunches of alstroemeria that are sure to bring you or your loved one cheer for one-two weeks or more!

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