Spring is almost here. I know it’s not far off because our grocery stores are displaying pots of those classic white trumpet-shaped lilies right up next to the check-out counters. I guess they’re hoping you’ll succumb to their beauty and intoxicating fragrance and grab one on your way to the cashier even though you only came in for tonic water and cocktail weiners. But as much as I appreciate the sheer glamour of a pure white Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum), my weakness is the Calla lily.

Calla lilies with Sanseveria and tropical greenery at Royal Botanical Gardens, Hamilton, Ontario.

There’s something about those flaring, asymmetrical blooms that makes the Calla one of the most elegant of plants. Even the leaves are elegant–their deep greens often sprinkled with discrete (not showy!) speckles. And then there are the colours, from pure white to brilliant fuchsia (see below) to fiery oranges to reds to near black. (Check out Odessa® Calla Lily for the deepest almost-black lily available.) Some Callas glow in several colours all at once like they were painted by a mad watercolour artist (see above).

If I’ve sold you on the idea of adding some gorgeous Callas to your garden, read on.

Adding Callas to your garden

In Canada, if we want to be adventurous and try growing these beauties out in the garden (they are, after all, popular houseplants), we’ll treat them as annuals. For the truly ambitious, they can be dug up in the fall and stored inside until the following spring. Whatever your plan, you’ll need to wait until all danger of frost is passed before planting them outside. Ideally, the soil should have lost its chill. I remember my British ex-mother-in-law telling me how medieval gardeners knew when it was okay to plant if they could bare their bottoms and sit comfortably on the soil. That to me is truly going the extra mile. Also, there’s a good chance the neighbours would have a problem with that. However, if you want to make a head start, pot up your Callas in a large container early in the spring and then move the container outside once spring has officially sprung.

Pink Calla Lily (Zantedeschia rehmannii) are smaller than the iconic white Callas.

Weird stuff about Callas

• Calla lilies are technically not a lily at all. Callas belong to the Araceae family which includes Philodendron, Anthurium and the Titan Arum (also known as the Corpse Flower).
• The flower isn’t really a flower, it’s a spathe. The true flowers are those teeny tiny spangles clustered on the central spadix.
• Not all Callas bloom at the same time. Some bloom in spring, others later. If you want Callas throughout the growing season, check the bloom timings on the labels and choose a couple of different types.
• Although they’re OK with full sun conditions, Callas don’t like hot, direct sunlight. If you live in Ontario, for instance, where summers can be brutal, position your Callas in part shade. Ideally, bright but indirect light is best.
• A single rhizome can produce multiple stems and up to six flowers.
• Some Callas, including ‘Green Goddess’ and ‘Pink Mist’ are considered “marginal aquatics” which means they thrive in moist, humid conditions edging a water garden. They can actually be planted in up to 12″ of water.
• Callas are toxic. Position them in a place out of reach of children, cats, dogs and horses.

White Giant Calla Lily sprouts huge white blooms and equally large leaves.

Calla lily planting ideas

MAKE A CALLA THE HERO OF A CONTAINER GROUPING: Callas are fabulous as potted plants and, let’s face it, growing them in a container can make the process a lot easier given that they require consistently moist soil and, if you live in Canada, need to be moved inside to overwinter. Try one huge specimen as your ‘hero’ in a grouping of pots. Zantedeschia aethiopica ‘White Giant’ (shown above) is a great choice as it certainly lives up to its name. The vase-like flowers can be up to 12″ wide, towering above huge white flecked leaves. This particular plant thrives in a wet location so growing one in a container is a good option. Surround the big calla pot with smaller pots filled with plants that are happy to play a supporting role to the Calla. Think lots of textural greenery like Astilbe and Hosta.

TURN A PART OF YOUR GARDEN INTO AN URBAN JUNGLE: Callas exude tropical vibes. Try a grouping of large Callas with Cannas, Colocasia (Elephant Ear plant), Bananas and tall ornamental grasses. If you’ve got the room, play with heights, adding tall Callas in the middle of the bed and some smaller, shorter Callas along the front of the bed.

UP THE LUSHNESS FACTOR IN A MINIMALIST GARDEN: Although Callas can’t help but look exotic regardless of where they’re growing, their slender, elegant blooms and speckled leaves can make the perfect punctuation points to a modern, almost-all-green garden striving for impactful simplicity. Add Hostas and Ferns for maximum lushness while keeping things uncomplicated.