Alstroemeria Pitchounes Chloé

Alstroemeria Chloé, like all the Pitchounes series Inca lilies, is a particularly compact and floriferous plant from late spring to the first frost. The plant forms a cushion covered with small shrimp pink lilies delicately spotted with white, with a hint of green. They are borne on low, very strong stems that are weather resistant. This less hardy perennial plant proves to be easy to grow as an annual and requires very little maintenance. It is simply perfect in garden containers and flower pots. You can place it in partial shade or in full sun, in light, rich and moist soil.

Alstroemeria Pitchounes Chloé is a recent variety obtained near Angers. Modern Inca lilies are the result of hybridization of several tuberous species native to South America, particularly the Chilean Andes. These high-altitude plants belonging to the Alstroemeriaceae family are more or less hardy, appreciate moist, well-drained soils, in lightly wooded and cool areas. Slow to establish, they can disappear or... become invasive! Quirky and fantastic plants, very sensitive to growing conditions, they are "indestructible" once you have found the right spot for them.

Alstroemeria Pitchounes 'Chloé', like all the plants in the series, is easy to grow in a good soil that is kept moist. The plant quickly forms dense and rounded clumps with leafy stems not exceeding 25 cm (10in) in flower height, with a spread of 30 cm. The flowering continues uninterrupted from May-June to late October, as long as there is no frost. The flowers, very open, are gathered in terminal umbels. They are composed of 3 small central shrimp pink petals streaked with dark red and tipped with green, surrounded by 3 larger petals, also coloured shrimp pink, adorned with a beautiful white spot with a green tip on the edge. The foliage is arranged on the upper part of the stems. The leaves of this variety are dark green-blue in colour. The plant disappears in winter, only the trailing stump with fleshy roots remains underground, which resists frost down to -5°C. The latter is sensitive to the shock of transplantation, especially in older plants.

Alstroemeria 'Chloé' is an ideal variety for decorating garden containers and flower pots for months. On the patio or balcony, it forms a display of flowers that rivals the brilliance of balcony geraniums. Along the edge of a border, this plant will blend well, for example, with other Pitchounes varieties or with grasses; Stipa, small Miscanthus or Muhlenbergia capillaris will accompany its autumn colours with their foliage and magnificent late season blooms. You can also plant blue lobelias or Ceratostigma plumbaginoides at its base, with intense blue flowers and red foliage in October. A marvel!