An interesting group of perennials from South America. Spreading, with twisted stem leaves, on erect stems, topped with funnel-shaped flowers, producing a carnival-like range of colours and markings. Many cultivated forms have been bred, some for cut flowers, some for large flowers on more compact stems. Hardiness will depend on the form, but some protection of the roots may be helpful. We grow most of ours in the dry garden, helping to the keep the plants from growing too quickly and flopping over. They represent the family Alstroemeriaceae, in which resides another South American genus, Bomarea, producing similar flowers, but on long (up to several metres) twining stems!
With flowers that are attractive to pollinators (especially bumblebees, honeybees and hoverflies), alstroemerias play an important role in the midsummer garden. Care should be taken to avoid their spread away from cultivation as there are signs that establishment in the wild in the UK is becoming more widespread. Elsewhere in the world, especially Australia, the invasion of natural habitats by alstroemerias is considered to be of significant conservation concern.