Alphabetical Plant Listing

Calla palustris (Water Arum)

Water Arum, Water Dragon, Wild Calla, Bog Arum, Swamp Lily


Very showy when in flower or bearing its fruit, Calla palustris (Water Arum) is a rhizomatous aquatic perennial boasting broadly heart-shaped, lustrous leaves, 6 in. long (15 cm), adorned with pointed tips. The glossy leaves are borne atop floating stems arising from shallow creeping rhizomes. In early to late summer, 2-inch flowers (5 cm) adorned with a fleshy yellow-green spadix surrounded by a showy white spathe appear on stout stems. The blossoms give way to clusters of tiny, bright red berries in late summer, which decorate the pond in the fall. A cold-loving aquatic that is easily grown in shaded bogs or water gardens.

  • Grows up to 6-12 in. tall and wide (15-30 cm). Slowly spreads by creeping rhizomes to form loose colonies.
  • Thrives in part shade in humus-rich, acidic, muddy soil or in still shallow water no deeper than 2 in. (5 cm). A light mulch is appreciated in extremely cold, snowless winters. 
  • Low maintenance, Water Arum is generally pest and disease free.
  • Propagate by seed sown in late summer or by division of the rhizomes in spring.
  • Cut back after flowering.
  • Ingestion may cause severe discomfort.
  • Native to temperate regions, including Alaska, Canada and the northern United States.

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Requirements

Hardiness 2 – 6
Plant Type Aquatic Plants, Perennials
Exposure Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Height 6" – 1' (15cm – 30cm)
Spread 6" – 1' (15cm – 30cm)
Spacing 12" (30cm)
Water Needs Average, High
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Poorly Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Alaska, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont
Tolerance Wet Soil
Garden Uses Bog Gardens, Ponds and Streams, Rain Gardens, Water Gardens

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By Bogdan Denysyuk, Shutterstock

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 2 – 6
Plant Type Aquatic Plants, Perennials
Exposure Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Height 6" – 1' (15cm – 30cm)
Spread 6" – 1' (15cm – 30cm)
Spacing 12" (30cm)
Water Needs Average, High
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Poorly Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Alaska, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont
Tolerance Wet Soil
Garden Uses Bog Gardens, Ponds and Streams, Rain Gardens, Water Gardens

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