Bomarea spp.

climbing alstroemerias

Alstroemeriaceae

Mountains of Central and South America, centered in the Andes

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Hummingbirds Container Friendly

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 8–11

Overview

Bomarea spp. is a genus of about 120 species of mostly twining, herbaceous to woody climbing perennials in the family Alstroemeriaceae, native to the mountains of Central and South America. Most species climb 3–20 feet (0.9–6 m) by twining stems that rise each year from fleshy tuberous roots. Leaves are alternate, lance-shaped, 2–6 inches (5–15 cm) long, and like the related Alstroemeria spp. are resupinate, twisting so the lower surface faces upward. Flowers hang in rounded terminal umbels of 5–40 blooms, each tubular to bell-shaped, 1–2.5 inches (2.5–6 cm) long, in orange, red, pink, or yellow, often spotted inside. The hanging clusters are pollinated by hummingbirds in the wild. Fruit is a capsule with seeds covered by a fleshy orange coat. A few species are frost-hardy in mild temperate gardens, while most are tender and limited to frost-free or montane climates. Stems die back in dry or cold seasons and resprout from the tubers.

Native Range

Native to the highlands and cloud forests of the Americas, from Mexico through the Andes to Chile and Argentina, with a few species in the Caribbean. Grows along forest margins, in scrub, and on slopes from about 3,000 to 13,000 feet (900–4,000 m), with the greatest diversity in the northern Andes.

Suggested Uses

Grown on trellises, fences, and through shrubs in mild and frost-free gardens, and in containers with support in cooler regions, spaced 18–36 inches (45–90 cm) apart. The pendent flower clusters are cut for arrangements. Tender species are grown in conservatories where winters are cold.

How to Identify

Recognized by twining climbing stems rising from tuberous roots and by hanging terminal umbels of tubular orange to red flowers. Leaves are lance-shaped and twisted on the stalk so the underside faces up. The umbel of pendent flowers and the twining habit separate Bomarea spp. from the clump-forming, non-climbing Alstroemeria spp..

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 20'

Width/Spread2' - 4'

Colors

Flower Colors

red

Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering comes in the warm or wet season, varying by elevation and species, often spring through summer in cultivation. Each umbel holds open over 2–4 weeks as individual flowers age. In frost-free climates some species flower over a long, irregular season.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

orange, red, pink, to yellow

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

2–3 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun to part shade and moist, fertile, well-drained soil, with support for the twining stems. Plants need regular water during growth and a drier rest when stems die back. Hardy species tolerate light frost if the tubers are mulched, while tender species are damaged by any freeze. The brittle tubers resent disturbance, so plants are slow to establish after moving. Slugs and aphids feed on young shoots. Stems are cut down once they yellow at the end of the growing season.

Pruning

Cut dead stems to the ground after they yellow and die back at the end of the season. Live twining stems need only guidance onto their support. Tubers can be divided in early spring as growth begins, though they re-establish slowly.