Common Name: lily of the Incas
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Alstroemeriaceae
Zone: 6 to 9
Height: 3.00 to 3.50 feet
Spread: 2.50 to 3.00 feet
Bloom Time: June to August
Bloom Description: Pink with white and yellow throats and maroon-brown markings
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Medium
Suggested Use: Annual
Flower: Showy, Good Cut
Culture
Winter hardy to USDA Zones 8-10 (some say 7-10) where it is best grown in organically rich, loose, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Appreciates some early afternoon shade in hot summer climates. Best with consistent and even moisture, particularly if year round flower production is sought. Taller flowering stems may need staking. Plants will survive winter temperatures to 15-20°F (perhaps slightly lower if sited in protected locations and mulched). In cold winter climates, dig tubers in fall and store in damp potting soil in a cool dark place, but it should be noted that the roots are very brittle and difficult to dig. If plants are grown in containers, bring them indoors and place in a sunny window with consistent but modest watering.
'Tessumbreak' offers improved cold tolerance and is reliably winter hardy in Zones 6-9 as long as well-draining soil and a protected site are provided.
Noteworthy Characteristics
The genus Alstroemeria contains about 50 species, all of which are native to South America (mostly in Brazil for summer growing plants and in Chile for winter growing plants). They are known by a number of different common names including Peruvian lily and lily of the Incas.
Hybrid strains of Alstroemeria have become extremely popular commercial cut flowers (profuse flowering, stiff flowering stems, flower stems look good in a vase and flowers last for two weeks), and are available in a wide range of flower colors including orange, yellow, red, pink, purple, lavender, salmon and white, often with distinctive flecks, streaks and other markings.
Genus name honors Swedish botanist Klaus von Alstroemer (1736-1794) who was a student and friend of Carolus Linnaeus.
The common names Peruvian lily and lily of the Incas refer to the native range of this group of plants and the shape of the flowers. Alstroemeria is not closely related to the lily genus Lilium.
'Tessumbreak' is a cold hardy selection of alstroemeria that features pink blooms with white and yellow throats with contrasting dark maroon-brown markings. Mature plants will reach up to 3.5' tall and spread to fill a 3' area. Commonly sold at nurseries and garden centers under the name SUMMER BREAK.
Problems
Slugs and snails may attack the foliage. Watch for spider mites.
Uses
Borders. Cottage gardens. Cut flower garden. Hybrid strains of Alstroemeria have become extremely popular commercial cut flowers.