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Zantedeschia aethiopica
'Childsiana' Common Names: Calla Lily |
| Description: | |
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This is an old fashioned, but very rewarding garden plant. Childsiana - a compact, pure white, fragrant miniature that is perfect for growing in pots and for the landscape in zones 6-10; 12"-15". The same well known, graceful flower found in summer borders, water gardens and lovely flower arrangements; we have had such fun having these in bloom in our greenhouse during the winter, that we thought you might like to give them a try. Native to South Africa, these vase-like flowers are hardy and overwinter outdoors in zones 6-10 but are lovely indoors everywhere! (18/20 cm bulbs) The striking arum lily "flower" is actually many tiny flowers arranged in a complex spiral pattern on the central column (spadix). The tiny flowers are arranged in male and female zones on the spadix. The top 7 cm are male flowers and the lower 1.8 cm are female. If you look through a hand-lens you may see the stringy pollen emerging from the male flowers which consist largely of anthers. The female flowers have an ovary with a short stalk above it, which is the style (where the pollen is received). The spadix is surrounded by the white or coloured spathe. It has lush looking dark green leaves with an arrow head shape. The size varies according to the amount of shade. The flowers appear in a main flush from August to January, although there may be the odd flower at other times of the year also. The white arum forms large colonies in marshy areas ranging from the coast to an altitude of 2250m. Thus one will find them contending with humid, salt laden air at the coast and freezing, misty mountain grasslands at high altitudes. They are very versatile in the garden as a result. The leaves of the arum are very interesting in that they contain water stomata which can discharge excess water, by a process known as "guttation". This prevents water-logging and enables arum lilies to grow in wet conditions. The white arum is very easily cultivated by seed or division. Seed should be sown in spring. The fruit is ripe when it has turned yellowish and is soft. The pulp should be removed and the seed dried off. The grey seeds can be sown in clean seedling mix and covered lightly. Take care not to sow them too thickly as they will need space to form the fleshy roots. The fleshy rootstock can be divided when the plant is dormant, it should be re-planted about 5 cm deep. It may also be propagated by division where the plant is not dormant, use a sharp spade to cut out a section for replanting. The white arum may be used as a marginal plant along streams, or on the edge of a pond. Plant in partial shade if there is no permanent water. It can be planted as a foliage plant in deep shade under trees but will not flower well in this position. It is fast growing and likes very rich, well-drained conditions. |
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- Hardy and overwinter outdoors in zones 6-10 - It is an excellent cutflower and lasts a long time in water |
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