Zantedeschia: Calla Lily
Zantedeschia, or Calla Lilies, are comprised of 6 species of rhizome-rooted plants from southern Africa, as well as numerous hybrids.
Plant care & info
Family: Araceae (Arum Family)
Genus: Zantedeschia
Common Name: Calla Lily
South Africa.
Well-drained garden soil that is consistently moist is best. Callas can even adapt to growing partly submerged in water and are able to live full time in pots, given adequate moisture. Sun exposure varies from full sun for annual varieties and morning sun to dappled shade for perennial varieties. Calla lilies do not bloom their best in full shade.
Perennial types should be mulched with organic matter in winter after the foliage has died back to the ground. Prior to mulching, dead foliage can be removed as part of fall garden clean up. Rhizomes of annual types must be lifted from the garden during the fall and stored in a cool dry place over the winter. Be careful not to damage the rhizomes as they are being removed from the soil. A balanced organic liquid fertilizer can be applied throughout the bloom season for both types.
Snails, slugs, aphids and botrytis can all affect calla lilies.
Callas are made up of a “flower” or bract (in a number of colors) which surrounds a central spike or spadex. The foliage is green and sometimes very glossy, arrow shaped or lanceolate and often spotted.
Calla lilies are beautiful in wedding bouquets and fresh floral arrangements. The perennial types make a lovely addition to the woodland or cottage garden, while annual varieties add a lot of color and structure to summer containers and warm season borders. Perennial varieties of calla lilies bloom throughout spring while the annual varieties bloom throughout the summer.
Flower colors for perennial callas commonly found at Portland Nursery include bright whites and dark purple/blacks. Annual varieties sold at the nursery have flower colors ranging from red, yellow, orange, pink and purple. Good companion plants for perennial calla lilies planted in the woodland garden include ferns, astilbes, hostas, ligularias and impatiens. In a container, annual calla lilies combine well with petunias, dusty miller, allysum, creeping jenny, heliotrope or dichondra.
Add Color To Your Garden With Annuals
Annuals are planted every year and provide color summer till frost. Many annuals can be wintered over indoors or reseed outdoors providing extra value to their flower power!
