Calla Lily

Zantedeschia aethiopica and Zantedeschia elloitiana

Plant Type: Bulb Uses: Cutting Bed, Border, Ornamental, Container, Bog, Aquatic Propagation: Division, Seeds Habit: Upright, Clump Light: Full Sun, Part Shade Flower Color: Various Blooms: Late Spring, Summer, Autumn Width: 1 - 1.5 ft.; Height: 1 - 3 ft. Fertility: Rich Soil: Neutral, Moist Zone: 8 - 10

Z. aethiopica (white calla), Z. albo-maculata (spotted calla lily), Z. hybrids, Z. elliotiana (golden calla lily), Z. rehmannii (pink calla lily), Z. hybrids. (All called calla, calla lily) 

An elegant addition to any garden. Calla lilies come in a variety of shades from a creamy white to a deep orange or pink. They are easy-to-grow bulb plants whose blooms emerge from rolled and flaring 4- to 6-inch specialized leaves called spathes. Rising from the base of each spathe is a pencil-shaped spike, or spadix, bearing the plant's tiny true flowers. Thick leaves, up to 8 inches long and 5 inches wide, are shaped like arrowheads and frequently bear white markings. Most blossom in spring and early summer when planted outside. They are a commonly used today as a bridal flower and can add a touch of class to a floral arrangement. The flowers are long-lasting and the dark green lance-shaped foliage makes a perfect backdrop for the graceful blooms. . Z. aethiopica grows 2 to 4 feet tall and bears 6- to 8-inch white flowers that will bloom year round. Other types may be planted at any time of year to bloom in about two months; they will continue to bloom at two- or three-month intervals if allowed to rest after each blooming. These types include Z. elliottiana, which grows up to 24 inches tall and bears 6-inch yellow flowers; and 12- to 18-inch tall Z. rehmannii, with 4-inch pink flowers. There are hybrids with pink, red or yellow blossoms.

Calla lilies can remain in the ground through winter in Zones 8-10. They grow well in light shade, or in full sun with partial shade at midday. Z. aethiopica will blossom continuously if given sufficient food, moisture and 50° to 70° night temperatures; plant the rhizomes 1 to 2 feet apart; cover with 3 to 4 inches of soil and feed monthly with a dusting of 5-10-5 fertilizer. This species thrives even in muck covered by water. The other species and hybrids can be brought into blossom in about two months at any time provided they have had a three-month dormancy. Set the tubers a foot apart, and cover with 3 to 4 inches of soil. From Zone 7 north, plant calla lilies outdoors in spring, dig up in fall and store in dry peat moss, perlite or vermiculite at 40° to 50°.

Propagate by dividing the tubers in late summer or early fall; seedlings usually bloom during the second year.