Overview
Alstroemeria 'Athena' is a bushy herbaceous perennial in the genus Alstroemeria, part of the Alstroemeriaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Alstroemeria 'Athena' grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, city and courtyard gardens, patio and container plants, wildlife gardens, flower borders and beds, cut flowers and underplanting of roses and shrubs.
About
Alstroemeria 'Athena' is a bushy herbaceous perennial cultivar of the Alstroemeria genus, known for its fleshy roots that form spreading clumps. It features upright stems with narrow, lanceolate leaves and produces umbels of funnel-shaped flowers during spring and summer. This deciduous plant thrives in fertile, moist but well-drained soils of various types and pH levels, preferring full sun to partial shade in sheltered, south-, west-, or east-facing aspects. Hardy to UK zone H4, it suits cottage gardens, patios, and flower borders, and can be propagated by division in autumn or early spring.
About the genus
Alstroemeria, commonly called the Peruvian lily or lily of the Incas, is a genus of flowering plants in the family Alstroemeriaceae. They are all native to South America, although some have become naturalized in the United States, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Madeira and the Canary Islands. Almost all of the species are restricted to one of two distinct centers of diversity: one in central Chile and southern Argentina, the other in eastern Brazil.
Wikipedia contributors, "Alstroemeria", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Alstroemeria
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Alstroemeria
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
Alstroemeria 'Athena' size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens, Flower borders and beds, Cut flowers, Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Alstroemeria 'Athena'
- Propagation
- Division in autumn or very early spring
- Pest resistance
- Slugs
- Disease resistance
- Virus
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Alstroemeria 'Athena'?
Alstroemeria 'Athena' prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Alstroemeria 'Athena' need?
Alstroemeria 'Athena' is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
Is Alstroemeria 'Athena' hardy in the UK?
Alstroemeria 'Athena' has an RHS hardiness rating of H4, meaning it is hardy through an average UK winter, tolerating -10 to -5°C.
How do I propagate Alstroemeria 'Athena'?
Division in autumn or very early spring.