Alstroemeria Garden Summer Sky - Peruvian Lily

The Peruvian Lily or Alstroemeria 'Summer Sky', like all hybrids from the 'Summer Paradise' series, has been selected for its cold resistance. These plants, capable of surviving occasional frosts of around -15°C, are particularly well adapted to outdoor cultivation in most climates. This alstroemeria, perhaps the most dazzling in the series, also has a good floribundity, with white and gold flowers, delicately tinted with buff on the reverse. They are produced profusely throughout the summer, beautifully complemented by dark green glossy foliage.

The Alstroemeria 'Summer Sky' 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 can be more or less hardy, and appreciate cool, well-drained soil in lightly wooded and fresh areas. Slow to establish, they 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 Sky' surprises with its hardiness. The plant quickly forms clumps of sturdy leafy stems that can reach 70 cm (28in) in height when flowering, with a spread of 50 cm (20in). The flowering takes place from June to October-November. The open flowers are grouped in terminal umbels. They are composed of 3 small central petals, creamy-white in colour, surrounded by 3 larger petals, pure white, with the largest one spotted with golden yellow and streaked with light brown at the base. Each plant can produce at least 30 flowers. The foliage is arranged along most of the stem length. The leaves of this variety have an elegant shade, a fairly dark but vibrant and glossy green. The 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 Sky' is a superb plant for the garden. This exceptional perennial, when mature, creates a magnificent spectacle in borders or on a partially shaded slope. This plant pairs well, for example, with other varieties from the Summer Paradise series (Summer Red, Summer Saint) or with red, pink, blue, or white perennial salvias or grasses, which are complementary. Stipa, small Miscanthus, or Muhlenbergia capillaris will accompany its autumn flowering with their magnificent 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 to adorn terraces and balconies.