Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Summer Heat Peruvian Lily: Scarlet Red with a Golden Flare
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Summer Heat Peruvian lily is the large-flowered red of its series. Each flared bloom, about 3 inches across, is rich scarlet with a bold golden yellow flare on the upper petals, marked with fine dark streaks. Clusters crown dozens of tall, upright stems, giving the plant a bright, tropical look.
As the name suggests, it does not quit when July turns hot.
Summer Heat at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Alstroemeria 'Summer Heat' |
| Flowers | Scarlet red with a golden yellow flare, about 3 inches |
| Size | 36 to 42 inches tall, 30 to 36 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts early July, peaks early August, continues until frost |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 6 to 9 |
| Light | Full sun to part shade |
| Cut flower | Excellent, florist quality |
| Deer | Moderately resistant |
A bold accent for a lavender garden
Red and purple make a confident, high-energy combination. In a garden built around soft lavender drifts, one clump or a big pot of Summer Heat acts like an exclamation point. Place it where the eye lands, such as the corner of a patio or the end of a path lined with lavender.
Its soil needs are different from lavender's, so give it a bed of its own with fertile soil and steady moisture, or a large container. Its long season helps the whole garden: it starts in early July and is still flowering when the lavender has been harvested and sheared. Hummingbirds appreciate the red tubes, too. Sketch the placement in the Companion Plant Planner.
Built for heat
Many alstroemerias slow down in midsummer heat. Summer Heat is notably heat tolerant and keeps flowering through summer in full sun. Help it along:
- Water during long dry spells, keeping soil evenly moist but never soggy.
- Plant in well-drained soil; root and tuber rot in wet soil is the main risk.
- Set the rhizomes about 1 inch deep at planting.
- Pull spent stems from the base to encourage new flowering stems.
Winter in Michigan
It is hardy only to zone 6 and has overwintered there for several seasons. In Michigan, plant it in a sheltered, well-drained spot and mulch deeply over the fleshy roots after the first hard frost. In colder areas, grow it in a container and store it frost-free over winter. Not sure which applies? Use the USDA Zone Finder.
Plug tray
Summer Heat is offered as a 72-cell plug tray. See the product page for current availability, or the Wholesale Hub for tray orders.
Frequently asked questions
How do I harvest the flowers?
Pull, do not cut. Grasp a stem near the base, twist gently and pull. Gloves help, since the sap can irritate sensitive skin.
How does it differ from Summer Break and Summer Breeze?
They share the same long-blooming, heat-tolerant habit. Summer Heat is scarlet red, Summer Break is pink and Summer Breeze is peach with dark foliage.
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