Common
Names: Arum Lily, Calla Lily, White Arum
& Lily of the Nile.
Type:
Rhizomatous herbaceous perennial.
Growth
Rate: Average to fast.
Height:
1m
Spread:
70cm
Position:
Full Sun to part shade.
Flowering
period: May
to June.
Flower
colour: Pure white.
Hardiness:
Hardy to Half Hardy
USDA
Zone: 8-11
Soil:
Fertile damp or pond margin.
Origin:
South Africa
Health:
Harmful
if eaten/skin & eye irritant
Description:
Unusual,
pure white hood-shaped flowers that are up to 10-15cm (4-6in) long
are produced from late spring to mid-summer. It makes a striking
architectural clump with lovely arrow-shaped, glossy dark green
leaves. It looks great grown beside water as a marginal plant and
can be left outside in most frost-prone areas if it is given a deep
winter mulch.
Care:
Grow
in moist soil or as a marginal plant in a basket with
heavy loam soil in water 30cm (12in) deep. Mulch plants
well in winter by folding the leaves over the plant.
Propagation:
Seed
- best sown fresh. Pre-soak stored seed for 24 hours in
warm boiled water and sow in moist soil in spring. When
they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out
into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse
or windowsill for at least their first winter. Plant
them out into their permanent positions in late spring
or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Division
- divide in the spring. Larger divisions can be planted
out direct into their permanent positions.
Zantedeschia
Aethiopica
