Product Description
Alstroemeria Summer Heat ('Tessumheat') (30)ct Flat Proven Winners®
Alstroemeria 'Summer Heat' ('Tessumheat'): A Fiery Addition to Your Garden
Alstroemeria 'Summer Heat' ('Tessumheat'), commonly known as Peruvian Lily, is a striking cultivar that ignites the garden with its vibrant red blooms and extended flowering period.
This particular variety is celebrated for its large flowers, tall stems, and exceptional cut flower potential, making it a highly desirable choice for gardeners seeking a bold and long-lasting display.
What Makes 'Summer Heat' Special? 'Summer Heat' distinguishes itself through a captivating combination of traits:
- Vibrant Color and Unique Flower Pattern: The intense red blooms, each adorned with a prominent yellow central flare, create a fiery spectacle in the garden. This unique color combination sets 'Summer Heat' apart from other Alstroemeria varieties.
- Extended Bloom Time: 'Summer Heat' boasts a long blooming season, providing a continuous display of color from midsummer through late summer.
- Florist-Quality Blooms: The tall, sturdy stems and consistently shaped, large flowers make 'Summer Heat' an excellent choice for cut flower arrangements. The blooms hold up exceptionally well in vases, adding a touch of vibrant color to any indoor setting.
- Hardiness: While many Alstroemeria varieties are less hardy, 'Summer Heat' has demonstrated its ability to overwinter in Zone 6 gardens with proper care, particularly in well-drained soil and with winter protection. This extends its growing range and allows gardeners in cooler climates to enjoy its beauty.
- Landscape Impact: With a height of 3-3.5 feet, 'Summer Heat' makes a significant visual impact in the garden. It can be used effectively as a border plant, a focal point, or even in container plantings.
Detailed Description: 'Summer Heat' features lance-shaped, green foliage that provides a lush backdrop for the profusion of red flowers. The blooms themselves are large and showy, with each petal showcasing the distinctive yellow flare. The tall, upright stems are strong and supportive, preventing the flowers from drooping and ensuring a stunning display.
Native Habitat (and Its Influence on Cultivation): Alstroemeria originates in the mountainous regions of South America, specifically the Andes of Chile and Peru. Understanding their native habitat helps us understand their cultivation needs. They thrive in well-drained soils and moderate climates. This explains why well-drained soil is crucial for 'Summer Heat' and why winter protection is beneficial in colder zones.
Landscaping Design Tips: Border Plant: 'Summer Heat' adds a vibrant splash of color to garden borders and pathways.
- Focal Point: Plant a group of 'Summer Heat' in a prominent location to create a dramatic focal point.
- Container Gardening: This Alstroemeria variety also thrives in containers, making it suitable for patios, balconies, and decks.
- Mixed Borders: Combine 'Summer Heat' with other flowering perennials and annuals to create a dynamic and visually appealing border. Consider companion plants with contrasting colors, such as blue or purple flowers, to accentuate the red blooms.
- Cut Flower Garden: Plant 'Summer Heat' in a dedicated cutting garden to ensure a steady supply of beautiful red blooms for indoor arrangements.
Planting and Care:
- Planting Time: The best time to plant Alstroemeria 'Summer Heat' is in the spring or fall.
- Location: Choose a location that receives full sun to part shade (at least 6 hours of direct sun). A south or west-facing wall can provide a sheltered and warm environment.
- Soil: 'Summer Heat' thrives in evenly moist, well-drained, rich, and humusy soil. It can tolerate drier soils, but consistently moist soil promotes optimal growth and flowering. Amend the soil with compost or other organic matter before planting.
- Watering: Water regularly, especially during dry periods. Keep the soil consistently moist, but avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot.
- Fertilizing: Feed 'Summer Heat' with a balanced fertilizer every few weeks during the growing season to encourage abundant blooms.
- Mulching: Apply a layer of organic mulch around the plants to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Mulching is particularly important in winter to prevent frost heaving.
- Winter Protection (Zone 6): In Zone 6, provide winter protection by mulching heavily around the base of the plants. Additional protection, such as covering the plants with burlap or a cold frame, may also be beneficial.
- Pest and Disease Control: Monitor plants for common garden pests like slugs and snails. Powdery mildew can also be a concern, especially in humid climates. Take preventative measures and treat any issues promptly.
- Deadheading: Remove spent flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming and prevent the plant from going to seed prematurely.
Other Insights for Gardeners:
- Late Spring Emergence: Do not be concerned if your Alstroemeria emerges later in spring than other perennials. This is normal for this plant. It grows quickly once it begins to grow.
- Attracts Pollinators: 'Summer Heat' attracts butterflies and bees, contributing to a healthy and vibrant garden ecosystem.
- Long-Lasting Cut Flowers: The blooms of 'Summer Heat' are exceptionally long-lasting in vases, often remaining fresh for up to two weeks or more.
- Deer Resistance: While not completely deer-proof, Alstroemeria are generally considered to be relatively deer-resistant.
Alstroemeria 'Summer Heat' is a truly exceptional Peruvian Lily, offering a dazzling display of red blooms with a unique yellow flare. Its long blooming period, hardiness, and suitability for cut flowers make it a valuable addition to any garden. With proper care, 'Summer Heat' will reward you with a fiery spectacle that lasts throughout the summer.
- Height: 3.0-3.5 Feet
- Spread: 2.5-3.0 Feet
- Hardiness Zones: 6,7,8,9
- Flower Color: Red shades
- Foliage Color: Green shades
- Sunlight: Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun)Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun)
- Water Requirements: Average Water Needs
- Soil Quality: Average Soil Quality - Fertile Soil Quality
- Soil Chemistry: Acidic Soil (pH < 7.0)Neutral Soil (pH = 7.0)
- Bloomtime: Midsummer Late Summer
- Attracts Wings: Attracts Butterflies Bee Friendly
- Growth Rate: Medium
- Garden Style: Patio Container, Eclectic
Border PlantContainerCut FlowerFocal Point
Alstromeria prefers to be grown in evenly moist, well-drained, rich humus, but it will tolerate drier soils. Choose a sheltered site in either full sun or partial shade, preferably at the base of a south or west-facing wall. Do not worry if it comes up later in spring than your other perennials. This is normal for Alstroemeria. It grows quickly once it emerges to make up for its late start.
Mulch with organic material in the winter to prevent frost heaving.
Thirty (30) plants per flat (or tray). Approximate Plug Measurements: 3 inches deep x 2 inches wide.
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
