Complete Guide To Planting and Growing Colorful Calla Lilies

Calla Lilies are the epitome of elegance and beauty!

With their sculpted, champagne flute-shaped blooms and lush, silver-speckled foliage.

Whether in a garden bed, container, or indoor setting, Calla Lilies bring sophistication and color to any space!

These versatile perennials are easy to grow and care for, offering an abundance of charm throughout their growing season.

If you're looking to elevate your garden with a touch of class, Calla Lilies are an excellent choice. Let's explore their history, symbolism, planting techniques, care tips, and how to overwinter these stunning plants.

• All About Calla Lilies
• Enjoying Calla Lilies In Your Landscape
• How to Plant Calla Lilies: Step-by-Step Guide
• Caring For Calla Lilies
• Lifting and Storing Calla Lilies
• Elegant, Classical, and Easy-Care!

All About Calla Lilies

Calla Lilies (Zantedeschia spp.) are herbaceous perennials native to Southern and Central Africa. A member of the Arum family, they are closely related to Caladiums and Philodendrons.

These plants are prized for their sleek, modern blooms, which are actually, modified leaves called spathes. These gracefully unfurl around a central spadix. Their spear-shaped foliage, often adorned with silver speckles, adds beauty even after the flowers fade.

Calla Lily Symbolism
Calla Lilies symbolize purity, elegance, and rebirth, making them a popular choice for weddings, floral arrangements, and memorials. Their timeless appeal transcends trends, making them a garden staple.

Enjoying Calla Lilies In Your Landscape

Calla Lilies are incredibly versatile, space-saving, and can be used in a variety of garden settings and even pots and planters!

1. Container Gardens
   Use Calla Lilies as the 'thriller' in patio and balcony planters. Pair them with trailing plants for a dramatic effect.
2. Water Features
   Since Callas thrive in moist soil, they're perfect for planting near ponds, streams, or water gardens.
3. Mixed Borders
   Incorporate Callas into perennial or pollinator beds for vibrant color and texture. They also attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
4. Formal Gardens
   Plant Callas in symmetrical arrangements or use them to border shrubs and trees for a clean, polished look. They look fantastic as edging and massing.
5. Indoor Elegance
   Grow Callas as houseplants for year-round beauty indoors. Their sculptural form complements any décor. Try forcing the rhizomes during the winter to brighten your home!
6. Cut Flower Bouquets
   These elegant blooms are a must-have for floral design, and floral arrangements, and are widely used for boutonnieres and bridal bouquets.

How to Plant Calla Lilies: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Choose the Right Time
   Plant Calla Lilies in the spring after the last frost or in winter if forcing them indoors.
2. Prepare the Soil
• Calla Lilies prefer well-draining, enriched, highly-organic soil.
• Amend heavy soils with compost or sand to improve drainage.
3. Planting the Rhizomes
• Dig a hole 3-4 inches deep.
• Place the rhizome horizontally with the growing tips (eyes) facing upward.
• Space them 6 inches apart in garden beds or 4 inches apart in containers.
4. Water and Mulch
• Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil.
• Apply a 3-4 inch layer of mulch to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
5. Sunlight Requirements
   Calla Lilies thrive in full sun to partial shade. In hot climates, provide afternoon shade to prevent leaf scorch.

Caring For Calla Lilies

1. Watering
   Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Water at the base to prevent fungal diseases. We recommend using the Finger Test to ensure you are watering correctly.
2. Fertilizing
   Use a balanced fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season to encourage healthy growth and vibrant blooms.
3. Deadheading
   Remove spent blooms to redirect energy into producing new flowers. Keep the foliage intact until it yellows to make food for the rhizome.
4. Pruning
   Trim back any yellowing leaves to maintain the plant’s neat appearance. In the fall, trim back the foliage when lifting the rhizomes.

Lifting and Storing Calla Lilies

In colder climates (zones 2-7), Calla Lilies need to be lifted in the fall before frost or cold weather dips below freezing:

1. Cutting Back
   After the first frost, cut back the foliage to about 2 inches above the soil.
2. Digging Up Rhizomes
   Carefully dig around the plant and lift the rhizomes from the soil.
3. Cleaning and Drying
   Rinse off excess soil and allow the rhizomes to dry in a well-ventilated, shady area away from freezing temperatures for 1-2 weeks to prepare them for winter dormancy.
4. Storage
• Store rhizomes in a cool, dry place (50-60°F).
• Pack them in vermiculite, peat moss, or sawdust to prevent them from drying out.
• Check periodically for signs of rot or mold.

Elegant, Classical, and Easy-Care!

Calla Lilies are a gardener's dream! Their low-maintenance nature, stunning blooms, and adaptability make them a must-have for any garden or home. Whether you are creating a formal outdoor display, adding drama to your patio containers, or bringing their elegance indoors, Calla Lilies deliver unmatched beauty!

Order your Calla Lilies today at NatureHills.com and experience the joy of growing these timeless treasures! With their effortless sophistication and enduring charm, they'll transform your garden into a masterpiece!

Happy Planting!