Have you ever heard about this lovely flower? I have to admit that before becoming a florist I had never really heard of it either. But I really have come to love this beautiful little flower. So much that it really is my favorite flower and a go to in so many ways. It’s quite a different flower as its leaves grow upside down. Sometime it’s mistaken for a miniature lily. The Alstroemeria has a host of spiritual interpretations, from devotion and friendship to the achievement of aspirations; making it the perfect good luck gift or token or companionship. The Alstroemeria is full of symbolism and carry different meanings in different cultures. They are typically seen as a symbol of grace, purity, majesty and honor. According to the Victorian language of flowers, receiving a sweet-scented alstroemeria told you that you were beloved. Now, personally I don’t think they have much of a sweet scent, but then I’m around flowers all day almost everyday and I could just be numb to the smell. But, their transient beauty also makes them a thoughtful choice to express condolence at a time of sorrow. Alstroemeria is sometimes called a Peruvian lily as this is a reference to its natural habitat in the cool mountain regions of Chile, Brazil and Peru. Alstroemeria is available year around. Its vase life is approximately 7-14 days. I know this to be true as I have tested this before. I kept them in a vase of water on my kitchen table changing the water and clipping them every two or three days. They lasted a good two weeks. It also comes in all colors except blue and green. Alstroemeria seeds can take anywhere from a few weeks to an entire year to germinate. The main stems can grow up to 3 feet in length. Another great fact about these awesome flowers is that they are a particularly useful flower for filling out large pedestal arrangements and is a particular favorite of florist during the summer months when they are at their strongest and can be used a lot more creatively. When working with Alstroemeria re-cut stems at an angle and remove any leaves that may sit underneath the waterline when placed in a vase. The removal of leaves from the stem encourages water to go towards the flower head. Fill a clean vase with cool water and add flower food if you’d like before placing in your flowers. Change your water every 3-4 days and trim the stems every time. For the very best results, display alstroemeria in a cool shady spot. So, now you know. When Alstro are even partially open with only four or five stems together make a pretty bouquet. I have seen alstroemeria plants at the Lowe’s before so maybe you could plant some in the yard and experiment with it. After all, the majority of Alstroemeria flowers are perennials, which means they’re long lived, cold-hardy plants that return year after year. Once planted, perennials require less water, which makes them great plants for those who garden in dryer areas. Maybe I’ll try some in my yard this year as well. My next blog will be about these great little flowers and planting them in the yard. Let’s try to learn some more about these awesome little plants and add some pretty color to your flower gardens this spring. So, until next time - live life in bloom! Sent from my iPad