Alstroemeria Garden Summer Saint - Peruvian Lily

The Peruvian Lily or Alstroemeria 'Summer Saint', like all hybrids from the 'Summer Paradise' series, was selected for its cold resistance. These plants, capable of surviving occasional frosts of around -15°C (5°F), are particularly well adapted to outdoor cultivation in most climates. This alstroemeria also has a good floribundance, in the form of elegant flowers in a bright pink-violet colour, delicately highlighted with cream-white and brown speckles in the throat. They are produced profusely throughout the summer, beautifully complemented by dark green shiny foliage.

The Alstroemeria 'Summer Saint' 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 Amaryllidaceae family are more or less hardy, preferring cool, well-drained soil in lightly wooded and fresh areas. Slow to establish, they can either disappear or become invasive! Quirky but fantastic plants, they are very sensitive to growing conditions and are "indestructible" once you find the right spot for them.

'Summer Saint' surprises with its hardiness. The plant quickly forms clumps composed of sturdy leafy stems that can reach 70 cm (28in) in height when in flower, with a spread of 50 cm (20in). Flowering occurs from June to October-November. The open flowers are arranged in terminal umbels. They consist of 3 small central petals, mauve in colour, with a center that transitions from yellow to white, speckled with brown, surrounded by 3 larger petals in the same pink-violet shade. Each plant can produce at least 30 flowers. The foliage is present along almost the entire length of the stems. The leaves of this variety have an elegant dark green glossy colour. The foliage and stems disappear in winter, leaving only the underground rhizome with fleshy roots. The rhizome is sensitive to transplant shock, especially in older plants.

The Alstroemeria 'Summer Saint' is a superb variety for the garden. This exceptional perennial, when mature, creates a magnificent display in borders or on a semi-shaded slope. This plant pairs well, for example, with other varieties from the Summer Paradise series (Summer Break, Summer Sky, Indian Summer), perennial salvias in pink, violet, blue, or white, or complementary grasses. Stipa, small Miscanthus, or Muhlenbergia capillaris will accompany its autumn flowering with their beautiful foliage and inflorescences at the end of the season. Ceratostigma plumbaginoides, with intense blue flowers and red foliage in October, can also be planted alongside. A marvel! It can also be grown in pots.