Alstroemeria aurantiaca or Peruvian Lily is a very easy flower to grow in Southern California. It needs compost or fertilizer once a year, regular water and has few or no pests. It retires from the limelight during the warmest months and then starts sending up new shoots after Fall arrives.

I grow the same varieties in four big pots. I have plenty of flowers for the house about 6 months out of the year, with lots of blossoms still left to enjoy in the garden.

Downsides: No scent; you have to be sure that you pull the whole stem out and don’t cut the stem or you will rot the tuber; self seeds everywhere.