Parrot Flower Alstroemeria psittacina
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- al-stro-MER-ee-ah sit-ta-SEE-nah
- Description
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Parrot flower is an herbaceous perennial in the Alstroemeriaceae family and is native to Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. It has been widely grown as ornamental. It has escaped cultivation and spread to New Zealand, Wales, Australia, Madeira, the Canary Islands and Southeastern USA. It is now found in TX, LA, MS, AL, GA, and FL
Parrot lily grows in dense clumps that expand by tubers. 5-7 showy flowers top 2-3 foot stems in mid-summer to early fall. They do best in well-drained moist soil but are somewhat drought-tolerant once established. Plant in full to partial sun. The tubers can survive temperatures of 5-10 F in winter with mulch. In colder regions, this plant can be grown in a pot and brought indoors for winter.
Use this plant in containers, borders, cutting gardens, pollinator gardens or planted in masse. It is low-maintenance once established and hummingbirds and bees are attracted to the blooms
Propagation can be done by seeds or division of tubers. Divide tubers in winter or very early spring.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Generally problem free but slugs can occur. Considered a weed in New South Wales and parts of Australia. Spreads faster in warm climates that cooler ones.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Mona Lisa'
Purple steaked stems and crimson flowers with green and white at petal tips - 'Variegata'
White edged leaves
- 'Mona Lisa'
- 'Mona Lisa', 'Variegata'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Mona Lisa'
Purple steaked stems and crimson flowers with green and white at petal tips - 'Variegata'
White edged leaves
- 'Mona Lisa'
- 'Mona Lisa', 'Variegata'
- Tags:
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-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Alstroemeria
- Species:
- psittacina
- Family:
- Alstroemeriaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay.
- Distribution:
- Spread to New Zealand, Wales, Australia, Madeira, the Canary Islands and Southeastern USA in TX, LA, MS, AL, GA, and FL
- Wildlife Value:
- Hummingbirds and bees visit the flowers
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Angular roundish capsule with ribs have dark brown seeds
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- 5-9 tubular flowers on top of tall stems are red on the outside with green edging at the tips. The inside is mottled with dark red to brown markings. Blooms mid-summer to early fall. Individual flowers are 1-2 inches long
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Spatulate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Lance-shaped leaves with acute to obtuse tips and a narrow base. 2-4 inches long and 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches wide
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-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Tall mottled leafy stem
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Container
- Patio
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Children's Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Hummingbirds
