James H. Schutte
Family
Liliaceae
Botanical Name
ALSTROEMERIA psittacina 'Variegata'
Plant Common Name
Lily-of-the-Incas, Variegated Lily-of-the-Incas
General Description
Variegated parrot lily is a tender perennial that grows from tuberous roots. It is native to Brazil. Clumps of white-edged foliage appear in spring and slowly elongate to upright, leafy, pink-spotted stems. Clusters of tubular flowers bloom at the ends of the stems in loose spheres. Greenish blooms are heavily overlaid with red and marked with dark purple to brown spots and streaks, a unique color combination! Alstroemeria blooms in the cool of spring and may re-bloom in autumn. Alstromeria psittacina is one of the parents of the hybrid Alstromerias grown for florist use.
Parrot lily prefers rich, organic, acid soil. Full sun locations where summer temperatures are moderate and shade during the hottest part of the day is best. Parrot lily is easily propagated by seed and division. Alstromeria psittacina has escaped cultivation in some areas and it self-seeds readily in gardens. An unusual plant for the cutting garden, in colder regions it is also grown seasonally in containers.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 8
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USDA Hardiness Zone
8 - 10
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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
Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m
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Width
1'-2' / 0.3m - 0.6m
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Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Fall, Late Fall
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Native To
Brazil
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Upright/Erect
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Fall
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Red, Green, Plum, Brown, Black
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Flower Color Modifier
Multi-Color, Striped
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Fruit Color
Green
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Foliage Color (Spring)
White, Green, Ivory
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Foliage Color (Spring) Modifier
Variegated
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Foliage Color (Summer)
White, Green, Ivory
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Foliage Color (Summer) Modifier
Variegated
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Foliage Color (Fall)
White, Green, Ivory
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Foliage Color (Fall) Modifier
Variegated
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Foliage Color (Winter)
White, Green, Ivory
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Foliage Color (Winter) Modifier
Variegated
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Bark Color
Green, Rose
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Bark Color Modifier
Spotted/Mottled
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
Semi-Evergreen
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Showy Bark
No
