Posted: March 18, 2021
Another beautiful picture featured in the Master Gardener 2021 Calendar
Photo by Dee Martin-Spallone
My husband bought two plants, one for our pond and another for the water barrel for spring-summer 2020. The great anticipation of the plant's growth and bloom was one that we will not forget. These plants proved to win our hearts as one of our absolute favorite plants in 2020.
The calla lily, or Zantedeschia of the Arum family, made a huge impression on us. This plant does not mind having its feet wet, so this flower proved as a great choice to add to the edge of our small garden pond and barrel pond. Watching the long sturdy stem grow and the flower bud to unfurl into a trumpet-shaped blossom became the highlight of each day. This plant is also a long bloomer and I do mean a long bloomer!
Researching the Calla Lily, we find that it really is not a true lily after all. Its close relatives are the philodendrons, caladiums, and peace lilies. Calla means "beautiful" in Greek and so it is. The white trumpet-like part looks like the flower; however, the spike in the center is actually the flower of the plant. The white portion of the plant is a modified leaf.
We found this plant easy to grow and the plant's long-lasting blooms and reblooms, a wonderful display in the garden. Although we could have cut the stems and enjoyed them in our home, the plants' beauty was best viewed in its growing environment. Something to note about this plant is that all parts of the plant are poisonous to children and pets.
Growing requirements as an aquatic plant: The Calla Lilly grows best at the edge of the pond or where the water does not cover the crown of the plant. The plant likes wet soil and full sun to partial shade. Our plants really liked the full sun areas where they were located. This plant is an annual in the north and can be brought indoors before first frost. It will need bright to indirect light if overwintered indoors and watered regularly to continue to grow. In the late spring-summer, it can be returned to the outdoors. It may need repotted at that time. The plant is considered a perennial in Zone 8 and 9.
