This tuberous perennial has upright foliage and forms a clump. It has mid green lanced-shaped leaves that appear on mauve spotted stems and the green funnel-shaped flowers have an outer covering of red and appear in a terminal cluster during summer.

Hardiness zones 8 to 10

Alstroemeria psittacina is naturally found in tropical America growing in well drained fertile moist light soils in an open sunny position and is frost and drought tender.

The New Zealand Christmas Bell is grown for its flowers and clumping habit. It is planted in perennial borders in small or cottage gardens and naturalises in woodland settings. It is suitable for coastal regions and establishes from division in 1-2 years. This perennial self sows readily and may become a weed in some regions. It is also grown as a container plant and a glasshouse specimen in cold climates. Dry mulch during winter for areas affected by frost. ID 551

Alstroemeria(ahl-strurm-E-ree-a) psittacina(sit-ta-CHI-na)

Alstroemeriaceae (AL-stro-EM-mer-ee-AY-see-ee)