Alstroemeria Garden Summer Relieve - Peruvian Lily

The Inca Lily or Alstroemeria 'Summer Relieve' is part of a recent line of hybrids called Summer Paradise, which are known for their resistance to cold. These plants, capable of surviving occasional frosts of around -15°C (5°F), are particularly well adapted to growing in the ground, in most climates. This alstroemeria also has a good flowering ability, with elegant bicolour flowers in a pinkish salmon shade, delicately enhanced with streaks of brown and gold at the throat. They are produced profusely throughout the summer, beautifully complemented by dark green shiny foliage.

The Alstroemeria 'Summer Relieve' is a very recent Dutch variety, resulting from the hybridization of several tuberous species native to South America, particularly the Chilean Andes. These high-altitude plants belonging to the family Alstroemeriaceae can be more or less hardy, preferring cool, well-drained soil in lightly wooded and fresh areas. They take a while to establish and can either disappear or become invasive! Quirky but fantastic plants, very sensitive to growing conditions, they are "indestructible" once you find the right spot for them.

'Summer Relieve' surprises with its cold resistance. The plant quickly forms clumps of sturdy leafy stems that can reach a height of 70 cm (28in) when in flower, with a spread of 50 cm (20in). Flowering occurs from June to October-November. The flowers, fully open, are gathered in terminal umbels. They consist of 3 small central petals, salmon pink in colour, with a yellow-gold streaked brown centre, surrounded by 3 larger petals, the same slightly orangey pink. Each plant can produce at least 30 flowers. The foliage is arranged along almost the entire length of the stems. The leaves of this variety have an elegant shade, a shiny dark green. Foliage and stems disappear in winter, leaving only the trailing stump with fleshy roots underground. The roots are sensitive to the shock of transplantation, especially in older plants.

Alstroemeria 'Summer Relieve' is a superb variety for the garden. This exceptional perennial, when mature, creates a magnificent spectacle in borders or on a semi-shaded slope. This plant pairs well, for example, with other varieties from the Summer Paradise series (Summer Break, Indian Summer), with red, blue, or white shrub salvias or grasses, if complementary; Stipa, small Miscanthus, or Muhlenbergia capillaris will accompany its autumn flowering with their foliage and magnificent inflorescences at the end of the season. You can also plant Ceratostigma plumbaginoides next to it, with intensely blue flowers and red foliage in October. A marvel! It can also be grown in pots to decorate terraces and balconies.