Maureen Gilmer
Family
Liliaceae
Botanical Name
ALSTROEMERIA ligtu
Plant Common Name
Lily-of-the-Incas, Peruvian-lily
General Description
In summer this tuberous, tender perennial blooms with a profusion of colorful, lily-like flowers. Lily-of-the-Incas is native to central Chile and Argentina and has slender, sparse, strap-like leaves and tall flower stems. The semi-evergreen leaves are light green with hints of gray. As the summer temperatures rise, the tall stems become topped with branched clusters of trumpet-shaped flowers. These may be orange-red with yellow and dark-red markings or lavender-pink with purple and maroon markings, depending on the subspecies.
Grow lily-of-the-Incas in a sandy soil that is moist and high in organic matter. Non-alkaline soils are best. It may be grown in a mixed border or cutting garden in areas that only get an occasional light frost in winter. Elsewhere grow them in summer as tender perennials. The tubers should be dug and stored in a cool dry place indoors over the winter. The flowers are wonderfully long-lasting when cut.
Many attractive hybrids have been developed from crosses between this species and Alstroemeria haemantha. These are called the Ligtu hybrids.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 7
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USDA Hardiness Zone
8 - 11
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Sunset Zone
H1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Tender Perennial
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
15"-20" / 38.1cm - 50.8cm
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Width
24"-30" / 61.0cm - 76.2cm
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Bloom Time
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer
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Native To
South America, Argentina, Chile
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Cutflower, Mixed Border
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Attracts
Hummingbirds
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Self-Sowing
Yes
