Alstroemeria Majestic Authion

Alstroemeria Majestics Authion ‘Turcalaut’ is a tall, hardy Peruvian lily, selected for its prolonged flowering, its good vase life and the richness of its warm red colouring, brightened with yellow. Its cold resistance, noteworthy for such a generous alstroemeria, allows it to be planted in the garden in many regions. This selection from the Majestics series produces excellent stems for cut flower arrangements and possesses great ornamental value in borders.

This variety of Peruvian lily or Lily of the Incas belongs to the Alstroemeriaceae family. Its cultivar name is ‘Turcalaut’, and it is marketed under the commercial name Authion. It is a creation of the house Pierre Turc & Sons, in Anjou, dating from before 1997. Like all modern garden alstroemerias, it descends from hybrids developed from South American species, mainly Chilean and Brazilian. They are perennials with fleshy roots that store reserves.
The Majestics series brings together tall varieties, developed for borders and cut flowers, flowering from spring to autumn with a hardiness down to -15 to -20 °C, provided the crown remains dry in winter. 'Authion' forms an upright, bushy clump, branched at the base, then more flexible in the upper part. It reaches 70 to 90 cm in height and 30 to 50 cm in width. Its sturdy stems are leafy up to the inflorescences. The narrow and lanceolate, medium green to slightly bluish leaves are typical of alstroemerias. The foliage is deciduous: it disappears in winter, then regrows from the crown in spring. Flowering extends from June to October, and can begin as early as May in mild climates. The flowers, gathered in terminal clusters, measure 5 to 7 cm in diameter. They have six tepals, the three inner ones with a yellow throat striped with brown to blackish brown, while the outer ones open bright red.

Alstroemeria Majestic 'Authion' is happy to be planted near the house, in a cutting garden, a mixed-border or a perennial bed. Its red colouring pairs well with purplish, orange or violet tones. Pair it, for example, with Agapanthus ‘Poppin’ Purple’, Decorative Dahlia ‘David Howard’, Salvia microphylla ‘Royal Bumble’ and Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Red Head’.