I didn't mean to imply that alstroemerias would not be hardy for you......some varieties have considerable cold tolerance and that selection is increasing - Sweet Laura, Freedom, Glory of the Andes, even psittacina should be good to zone 6, perhaps even lower. But these are NOT the same as those varieties used in the cut flower trade and you will not have as wide a selection of colors as offered by the cut flower types, many of which are grown in southern California or imported from Chile and Peru. And the selection of those hybrids hardy in zone 8 and above has increased significantly in recent years - the Princess Lily collection and the Inca collection offer a much wider color range than was available previously, but on pretty low growing, compact plants. These may not be widely available outside the west coast and may be of marginal winter hardiness in zone 8. I'd certainly consider a good winter mulch.

Please see my trade list. I am interested in any color especially dark colors. I have pale pink. Thanks.

pineviewplanter - Thanks for the link. I am not usre if it is for cut flowers or the plant. I wish we had a Sams Club here so I could go look at them. marilyn_c - What color are they? I have pale and dark fushia pink. kathi_mdgd - If they will give you some of the clumps with the roots, kind of tuber like, then they will grow much faster. It is hard to grow by seed; it takes years. I have tried! Thanks everyone for your help. Clare

Full sun in all but the hottest areas. Grown in pots they will need less sun, more water. Very easy to grow either way. Al