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Calla Lillies

Common name: Calla lily

Botanical name: Zantedeschia hybrids

Bloom time: Summer into fall.

They are hardy in zones 8-11, but make elegant summer plants elsewhere. There are some cold-hardy varieties available and the aethiopica types grow in the shallow ends of ponds.

Calla lillies are well-known as graceful cut flowers. They are easy to grow in containers or in the ground. The flowers form again and again and come in a wide array of colors. The 12 to 18-inch luscious foliage is a gorgious rich green with lighter specks of color.

Planting: Plant your calla lily bulbs late in the spring after the soil has warmed up or plant them in containers and place them in a warm location. Shade them from the hottest afternoon sun. Plants in full bloom can be purchased and planted into containers of well drained soil-less mix or outdoor in rich well drained soil. Space plants about a foot apart; bulbs can be planted three to a square foot. Allow plants to nearly dry out between waterings and fertilize regularly with a standard fertilizer.

Landscaping tips: Calla lillies make excellent additions to combination planters of seasonal flowers. They combine well with other summer bulbs such as caladiums, cannas, dahlias, gingers and lillies. They can be grown singly in containers as well because they have such beautiful foliage. They can even be planted in a mixed border with perennials for summer color. They add a tropical feel to any flower bed. Heavily mulched plants may survive mild winter outdoors. They are very popular in bouquets so therefore make ideal components to your cutting garden.