It took me a while to fall in love with Calla lilies, but when I saw the Hot Chocolate variety, I was sold. Like tulips, calla lilies make gorgeous cut flowers with their beautiful bloom and long stems. They’re available in a great variety of colours and are, like most bulbs, easy to grow.

Botanical name: Zantedeschia

Height: 1-2.5 ft / 30-75 cm

Spacing: 6-8 in / 15-20 cm

Bloom time: Late spring to summer.

Foliage: Herbaceous and spotted or mottled. Calla lilies are often grown for their decorative foliage.

Soil: Requires good drainage. Mulch or plant with companion plants to keep the roots cool.

Sun: Prefers full sun (6-8 hours) or part shade to the leaves and flowers, but keep the roots cool by planting a companion plant or mulching.

Water: Average. Water regularly to keep it moist but don’t overwater, they don’t like wet feet. Aim for the roots when watering. Don’t allow it to dry out during growing periods.

When to plant: Winter to Spring.

How to plant: Mix well rotted manure into premium potting mix OR use a potting mix specially formulated for bulbs. Plant bulbs 4-6 in / 10-15 cm deep with the eye facing up (flatter side facing down) and space them 6-8 in / 15-20 cm apart and water in deeply.

Suggested soil: 1/3 potting mix, 1/3 peat moss, 1/3 perlite or sand. Mulch is highly recommended to keep the roots cool.

Fertilising: Fertilise by top dressing with well rotted manure or a complete fertiliser like blood and bone after flowering.

Seed collecting: Most bulbs aren’t propagated by seeds, however, to collect seeds allow seed pods to dry on the plant then break open and collect the seeds.

Pests & Diseases: Snails and slugs. Viruses spread by sucking insects.

Tips:

• Fertilise with complete fertiliser before and after flowering.
• Plant in groups of 3 or 5 identical bulbs for best effect.
• As a guide, a 6 in / 15 cm pot will hold 1 bulb and 12 in / 30 cm pot will hold 3 bulbs.
• Remove flowers and their stalks as they fade.
• Once the foliage fades, cut the stem just above the soil line. I leave about an inch above ground.
• Leave callas in the ground once the foliage dies back. If you have boggy soil, then lift them, dry for a few days out of direct sun and store.
• When callas are flowering, you can bring them indoors for a short period of time.
• Flower quantity doubles every 2nd year.