Astroemerias

or Peruvian Lily\Lily of the Incas.  This beautiful flower comes in many colours and lasts in water for a very long time if looked after.  The flower was discovered by a Swedish aristocrat and friend of Linnaeus, Baron von Alstromer, and he introduced the species to Spain from South America  in 1753 where it thrives, and later England.  It can also grow here in this country: there was once an alstroemerias nursery nearby but sadly it closed after many years. 

This is a backblip as I am falling behind!