Calla is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant growing in bogs and ponds and is found in cool temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, in central, eastern and northern Europe, northern Asia and northern North America.

 

Calla is also known as 'spring bulbs’. The plant grows well to 23cm (9") long, creeping in and out of the water. It has a planting depth of up to 7.5cm (3").

 

Calla leaves are glossy, heart-shaped, up to 6" long, rising on 8"-12" stems from long underwater rhizomes. The lateral veins are curved-ascending and parallel. Rhizomes are creeping at or near surface and elongate, ¼"-1" in diameter. The roots of Calla are adventitious, arising from nodes.

 

Calla flower is a white petal-like spathe, ovate to elliptic, 1"-2½", surrounding a yellow knob-shaped spadix. The spadix is thick short stipe, cylindrical, shorter than spathe, apex rounded. The spadix contains the true flowers.

 

Calla is often fertilized by snails that laboriously crawl up and down the stems of one flower after another, who are attracted by a rather unpleasant smell. The fruit of the plant is bright red, pear-shaped berries, 5mm-10mm, covering the spadix in fall. The seeds are brown with dark spots at one end.

 

The best flowering time of Calla is summer. It prefers a very rich soil. It requires full sun to light shade. This plant will benefit from generous feeding. An annual application of rotten manure in winter plus a fortnightly application of liquid fertilizer is suitable. Water it regularly during active growth and do not allow drying out as this will trigger dormancy. These corms love lots of water as long as they are not sitting in water for extended periods. Slugs & Snails which consider Calla leaves a delicacy.

 

Calla lilies make excellent houseplants. They maintain lush green foliage year-round.

 

 Did you know?

 

• Calla containing the single species Calla palustris.
• The plant name has been derived  from the Greek, kallos, "beauty".