Zantedeschia (Calla Lily)

Hardy Zantedeschia (Zantedeschia aethiopica) or Arum Lilies

• Arum lilies generally display pure white flowers and a lush foliage of glossy arrow-shaped leaves.
• Arum lilies can grow up to 3 ft. tall and wide (90 cm).
• Arum lilies are well-suited for bog gardens, rain gardens, and plantings near ponds and streams. Zantedeschia aethiopica can even be grown in water up to 12 in. deep (30 cm).
• Arum lilies can survive in hardiness zones 7 or 8. They can easily tolerate freezing temperatures. Although the foliage of these plants will die back during the winter, they will survive and emerge in the spring as if nothing had happened. However, applying ample mulch in the fall would help get these plants through winter.

Tender Zantedeschia or Calla Lilies

• Calla lilies feature amazing flowers in almost all the rainbow colors and generally white-speckled leaves. They are mostly hybrid cultivars of Zantedeschia elliotiana (golden yellow), Zantedeschia rehmannii (pink), Zantedeschia albomaculata (white), Zantedeschia jucunda.
• Calla lilies range from pure white to a deep dark purple verging on black. In between are the colors typical of a sizzling summer: from golden yellow to all the colors in a dazzling sunset, such as deep orange, burgundy red, or even hot pink!
• Calla lily flowers attract so much attention that you could almost ignore their leaves. However, this would be a shame since some of them feature unique speckled leaves. They look as if someone blithely spattered a paintbrush full of white paint over them.
• Calla lilies usually grow up to 12 in. tall (30 cm) and 30 in. wide (75 cm).
• Being tender, Calla lilies are often grown as houseplants. However, they are also well-suited for beds and borders or patio containers.
• Calla lilies make excellent cut flowers and have one of the longest vase life among cut flowers (up to 2 weeks). They are gorgeous in wedding bouquets and fresh floral arrangements.
• If you’d like to pick a flower to put in a vase, remember not to cut it with a knife. Instead, carefully pull the flower stem out of the plant.
• Calla lilies need well-drained soils and less water than Arum lilies.
• Calla Lilies are generally hardy in zones 8-10. In cooler climates (zones 3-7), the bulb-like rhizomes are usually treated as annuals. However, if you want to save your rhizomes for next spring, you may dig them up before the first frost and store them over winter before replanting them next spring. Not sure about your growing zone? Check here.

Garden Design with Zantedeschia

Zantedeschia flowers are a popular choice in many types of gardens due to their striking, unusual flowers and attractive, arrow-shaped foliage. Here are some ideas for designing a garden with Zantedeschia:

Focal Point: With their dramatic, sculptural flowers, Zantedeschia can serve as an excellent focal point in a garden. Use them in the center of a circular bed, or plant them in large groups in a border to draw the eye.

Container Planting: Zantedeschia are excellent plants for container gardens. They add height and an exotic touch to a collection of potted plants. Use them as the ‘thriller’ in the classic ‘thriller, filler, spiller’ container design.

Waterside Planting: As Zantedeschia enjoys moist soil, they are a great choice for planting near a pond or in a bog garden. This will also help to accentuate their lush, tropical look.

Mixed Borders: Combine Zantedeschia with plants that complement their bold flowers and elegant foliage. Consider partnering them with low-growing, bushy plants like geraniums or with tall, slender plants like irises. You could also try pairing them with plants with contrasting foliage, like ferns or hostas, for a more dramatic look.

Cut Flower Garden: If you enjoy having fresh flowers in your home, consider planting a section of your garden with Zantedeschia. They make excellent cut flowers, and their blooms last a long time in a vase.

Tropical-Themed Gardens: Zantedeschia fits perfectly in a tropical-themed garden, with other bold and lush plants such as cannas, bananas, and elephant ears.

Remember that Zantedeschia comes in a variety of colors, including white, yellow, pink, and deep purple, so you can choose the one that best suits your garden’s color scheme.

Companion Plants

Zantedeschia are versatile plants that can be paired with a variety of companion plants. Here are some suggestions:

Hostas: The broad, lush foliage of hostas can provide a nice contrast to the elegant flowers and slender leaves of Zantedeschia. Hostas also prefer similar conditions of shade to part shade.

Ferns: Ferns can provide a nice textural contrast with the smoother, more sculptural look of Zantedeschia. They also appreciate the same moist conditions.

Irises: Irises can complement the Zantedeschia with their similar sword-like foliage and striking blooms. Their preference for moist soil also makes them good companions.

Astilbe: The feathery plumes of astilbe flowers provide a contrast to the sleek, streamlined blooms of Zantedeschia.

Grasses: Ornamental grasses can offer a textural contrast and their swaying habit can add movement to a planting scheme with Zantedeschia.

Heuchera: With their colorful foliage, heucheras can complement the bold flowers of Zantedeschia and extend interest in the garden when the lilies are not in bloom.

Water-loving plants: Since Zantedeschia enjoy moist conditions, they pair well with other moisture-loving plants like marsh marigolds, Louisiana irises, and primroses.

As always, when selecting companion plants, consider their light, soil, and water needs to ensure they are compatible.