Overview
Alstroemeria 'Helena' is a bushy herbaceous perennial in the genus Alstroemeria, part of the Alstroemeriaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Alstroemeria 'Helena' 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 'Helena' is an herbaceous perennial in the Alstroemeriaceae prized for its summer flowering from June to September. It forms well-branched clumps of deciduous foliage and performs in full sun or partial shade on a sheltered, south-, west- or east-facing site. The plant favours moist but well-drained soils of chalk, clay, loam or sand across acid to alkaline pH and carries an H4 (average) UK hardiness rating. It suits borders, patio containers and cut-flower use, and can be underplanted beneath roses and shrubs.
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
In the garden
Alstroemeria 'Helena' is an herbaceous perennial in the Alstroemeriaceae grown for its summer blooms from June to September. It produces multiple flowering stems from clump-forming growth, and the foliage dies back seasonally. The rounded, well-branched habit makes it straightforward to place among other herbaceous plants without dominating a bed. Choose a site with full sun or partial shade and shelter from cold winds; east-, south- or west-facing aspects are all appropriate. Soil should be moist but well-drained — the cultivar tolerates chalk, clay, loam or sand and a wide pH range from acid to alkaline. Its H4 (average) hardiness means it copes with typical UK winters when given a sheltered position. Use Alstroemeria 'Helena' in flower borders, cottage and courtyard gardens, or in containers on patios where it can be moved into protection if needed. It also works as an underplanting for roses and shrubs and is routinely grown for cut flowers. Flower stems cut at their peak between June and September provide reliable summer blooms for arrangements.
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 'Helena' 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 'Helena'
- 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 'Helena'?
Alstroemeria 'Helena' prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Alstroemeria 'Helena' need?
Alstroemeria 'Helena' 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 'Helena' hardy in the UK?
Alstroemeria 'Helena' 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 'Helena'?
Division in autumn or very early spring.