by High Country Gardens
How to Grow Calla Lilies: Planting & Care Instructions
Summer blooming, calla lilies are easy to grow, low care, and will fill your summers with elegant blooms.Learning how to grow Calla Lilies is a gift that never stops giving.
Butterflies and hummingbirds love the pollen found on the yellow central finger-like structure - it’s actually the true flower. Rabbit and deer avoid these plants and so should your dogs and cats, as they are poisonous if ingested.
While not considered a true lily, the calla lily brings a unique look to a garden bed. Try planting ‘Nashville’ in front of ornamental grasses or as a striking centerpiece amongst the smaller Echinacea, Salvia, Allium and other summer bloomers. We recommend planting 3 bulbs/rhizomes within a square foot area. This will give you a striking effect of blooms and foliage. Well-placed, your lily planting should yield many flowers for both cutting and garden enjoyment.
How to Grow Calla Lilies: Important Tips
To plant in spring, be sure all danger of frost is past. Native to southern Africa, callas like it warm and won’t grow happily until the soil has warmed up a bit.
Be sure your spot has good drainage and enrich with compost, organic fertilizer and some bone meal.
Plant bulbs (they look like a ginger root or gladiolus bulb) so that the pointed eyes or growing points face up and the top of the bulb is about 2 inches below the soil level. Water well and water as needed to keep soil moist as the plant gets established.
How to Grow Calla Lilies: After Season Care
Feel free to cut flowers, it won’t hurt the plant. Once blooming is finished for the season, leave the leaves intact. They will continue to feed the bulbs until they yellow.
If you live in zones 8-11, your callas will rest for several months before beginning another season. If you live in zones 3-7, dig your bulb/rhizomes after the first frost. Let them air dry for several days and then store them in a cool (not freezing), dark place in paper bags, ready to replant when winter’s chill has departed.
Calla lilies are also happy planted in containers as they don’t mind being root bound. Plant as above, keeping in mind, that you can get a jump start on blooms by starting them indoors.
![Ivory Art Calla Lily, Zantedeschia Ivory Art]()
A sought-after flower for bouquets, Ivory Art® Calla Lily (Zantedeschia) brings sheer elegance to any setting. Pure white chalice-shaped blossoms add a spectacular effect wherever t...
Learn MoreIvory Art® Calla Lily Ivory Art® Calla Lily Zantedeschia Ivory Art®$11.99 Sale $9.59Sale Price I Save 20%Per Bag of 1A sought-after flower for bouquets, Ivory Art® Calla Lily (Zantedeschia) brings sheer elegance to any setting. Pure white chalice-shaped blossoms add a spectacular effect wherever they are planted. Easy-to-grow, deer-resistant, and pollinator-friendly, they make long-lasting cut flowers too. Plant them in a location where you can enjoy the sculptural summer blooms. Lovely in containers too.![Escape Calla Lily, Zantedeschia Escape]()
Lift your perennial bed to a new dimension with ‚Escape‚ Calla Lily (Zantedeschia). The dark, dramatic blossoms almost defy the senses! Deep purple to black blooms make t...
Learn MoreEscape Calla Lily Escape Calla Lily Zantedeschia Escape$11.99 Sale $9.59Sale Price I Save 20%Per Bag of 1Lift your perennial bed to a new dimension with 'Escape' Calla Lily (Zantedeschia). The dark, dramatic blossoms almost defy the senses! Deep purple to black blooms make these stunning plants a striking addition to the summer garden. Plant as a bold focal point or add contrast to your garden border, where they are sure to turn heads. Easy to grow, deer-resistant, and pollinator-friendly, they make long-lasting cut flowers, too. Deer and rabbits avoid them, while butterflies and hummingbirds enjoy their nectar.![Captain Brunello Calla Lily ,Zantedeschia sprengeri Captain Brunello]()
‚Captain Brunello‚ Calla Lily (Zantedeschia) lights up the summer flower stage with fluted apricot-peach blossoms and lightly speckled foliage. Plant them along a path, i...
Learn MoreCaptain Brunello® Calla Lily Captain Brunello® Calla Lily Zantedeschia sprengeri Captain Brunello®$11.99 Sale $9.59Sale Price I Save 20%Per Bag of 1'Captain Brunello' Calla Lily (Zantedeschia) lights up the summer flower stage with fluted apricot-peach blossoms and lightly speckled foliage. Plant them along a path, in a container, or mixed into a perennial bed. Happy in a full-to-part sun location, they make excellent cut flowers and supply enough blossoms for home and garden. Deer and rabbits avoid them, while butterflies and hummingbirds enjoy their nectar.![Lady Marmalade Calla Lily, Zantedeschia Lady Marmalade]()
A perfect garden pick-me-up, ‚Lady Marmalade‚ Calla Lily (Zantedeschia) brings sweet peach color to the summer landscape. Brilliant planted en masse, elegant as a contain...
Learn MoreLady Marmalade Calla Lily Lady Marmalade Calla Lily Zantedeschia Lady Marmalade$11.99 Sale $9.59Sale Price I Save 20%Per Bag of 1A perfect garden pick-me-up, 'Lady Marmalade' Calla Lily (Zantedeschia) brings sweet peach color to the summer landscape. Brilliant planted en masse, elegant as a container garden feature, or fun sprinkled throughout the perennial bed where they will enhance the garden with their unique shape and color. Easy to grow, these striking plants are happy in full to part sun. Deer and rabbits avoid them, while butterflies and hummingbirds enjoy their nectar.
A season with calla lilies reminds us of why they were favorite subjects for artists like Georgia O’Keeffe and Diego Rivera. Calla lilies inspire, blushed with color they remind us of the piercing beauty of simplicity.
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