Find Your 
This month, we’re putting the spotlight on the calla lily! This gorgeous flower has become a staple of wedding season, but it’s a beautiful choice for any occasion. [Read more…]
Calla Lily: FSN’s Favorite Flower For November
November 2, 2010 by 1 Comment
The calla lily is one of the most beautiful and widely used flowers in the florist’s arsenal. Brides everywhere love the simple, yet elegant look of the calla lily and it has become a staple in wedding flowers. Keep reading for more about the calla lily with lots of great pics and ideas.
CALLA LILY/
ZANTEDESCHIA
Use: Flower
Type: Tuberous Perennials
Height: 12-36″
Name Meaning: Regal, Beauty
GROWING
Requirements: Humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil. Full sun to partial shade.
Makes a great houseplant.
DESIGNING
Blossom Size: 1-8″ tall
Texture: Waxy
Fragrance: None
Silhouette: Dense/Round
Vase Life: 7-10 Days
Colors: Large Variety
Bloom Season: Late Spring
Flowers Available: Year Round
ABOUT CALLA LILIES
What’s in a name? The calla lily is actually not a lily at all; nor is it a Calla. So how did this impostor get it’s name? What we think of as ‘calla lily’, actually refers to plants in the Zantedeschia genus, named after Italian botanist Giovanni Zantedeschi. These plants were once in the genus Calla but through advanced research it was later determined to not be closely related to other Callas. Other names for Zantedeschia are: calla lily, arum lily, trumpet lily, and pig lily.
The calla lily is native to South Africa and grows naturally in marshy areas. It will remain evergreen as long as conditions are right and only goes dormant when water is scarce. For being native to tropical regions, this plant is surprisingly very hardy and can stand fairly cold winters. The common, white Zantedeschia aethiopica, for instance, can survive winter temperatures as low as -9 °F.
CALLA LILY: A WEDDING FLOWER FAVORITE
Style and elegance make the calla lily a wedding favorite. Callas look fabulous with all wedding decor because of their unique, funnel shape which imitates a champagne flute.
Calla lily wedding flowers are perfect for any bride. Choose the giant, white calla (Zantedeschia aethiopica or Easter Lily) for sheath bridal bouquets. For the fun and funky bride, go with dark ‘black’ calla lilies (aka Schwartzwalder) paired with other unique flowers. Because of their unique shape, they are definite stars in any mixed bridal bouquet!
Rising in popularity are the green and orange calla lily wedding flowers. Many brides are springing for an all-green wedding bouquet and green callas couldn’t be a better fit.
Callas are a true favorite for florists because of their unique properties. Calla lilies can be very sturdy and straight, perfect for emphasizing line in floral designs. When slightly dehydrated, they become incredibly flexible and are great for accentuating curves in floral arrangements.
Floral designers aren’t the only ones to use the calla lily as their muse. Calla’s have been an inspiration to artists all over the world. Probably the most famous of these is Diego Rivera. He painted many vibrant scenes of flower vendors in Mexico harvesting calla lilies.
Contact your local florist today and send a calla lily arrangement to your someone special.
This post is brought to you by local Fargo, ND florists.
Not in Fargo? Use Flower Shop Network‘s handy directory to find YOUR real local florist!
My Calla Lilies Will Not Bloom?
April 1, 2009 by
Ask the Expert: I have a calla lilly that will not bloom
I have had this plaint for over 2 years also i have a peace lilly that wont bloom I had this palint for over 5 years they are both very health but wont bloom. Kimberly
Reply:
It can take up to two year for a calla lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica) to produce blooms. Of course, that all depends on how the nursery treated them before you got them. We actually pot our calla lilies and make them bloom before we sell them to our customers. At our nursery, we treat them with gibberellic acid which is a fungicide that also promotes plant growth and seems to stimulate the blooms. However, this isn’t a product you can get over the counter. So it maybe that your calla lily was preparing itself for this year’s blooms.
Another factor that could be inhibiting blooms is the amount of sunlight the plants are receiving. Calla lilies need at least 5 to 6 hours of direct sunlight or 10 hours of bright filtered light to bloom. If your plants are in a very shady spot you need to move them to a sunnier area. You might try fertilizing your calla lilies with a fertilizer high in phosphorous (p) the a couple of months before they bloom. Try hi-yield bulb food which has a 7-8-5 (n-p-k) ratio or bone meal (0-10-0). At the end of the season let the frost kill the foliage before you remove it. Hopefully these suggestions will help and you’ll have lots of blooms this season.
Good luck and keep me posted
Calla Lilies Plant Now Or Wait Till Next Year?
October 1, 2008 by 1 Comment
Ask The Expert: I grew some cali lilies this past summer and now they are finished blooming. They have pods on them now. Is there something I should do to keep them ready to replant next season. When will be the best time to replant them. Any other suggestions ? Evelyn
Five Cool Flowers For Summer
July 18, 2008 by Leave a Comment
There are many awesome flowers that make great additions to summertime flower arrangements. When it comes to creating an exquisite display for my tables, centerpieces, gardens and other home décor uses, I look to these fabulous blooms for an extra splash of cool during the summer months.
Hydrangeas in full bloom are gorgeous additions to the home or garden. The blossoms of hydrangeas provide a very distinctive and soft scent that no nose can resist. Hydrangea potted plants accentuate patios, walkways, gardens, tables, and other nooks in the home. These colorful and buxom plants draw attention to ignored areas with their attractive size and shape. Hydrangea wedding bouquets are also popular as summer wedding flowers. The shapely blooms of hydrangea plants create full and vivacious wedding bouquets. At the wedding reception, the full-bodied shape of hydrangea centerpieces lend a sense of balance to larger tables. Adding depth and dimension to flower arrangements or gardens, hydrangeas are a colorful and attractive way to enjoy the fresh, full summer months.
Tame the heat with potted hydrangea plants.
Calla lilies are other summer flowers that enhance wedding bouquets. Calla lily bouquets are easily recognized as their distinctive and beautiful appearance make them one of the most popular summer wedding flowers. Calla lilies are especially suited to certain bouquet shapes. Brides everywhere look to calla lily wedding bouquets to enhance gorgeous, long wedding gowns. Whether dancing at a summer wedding or simply drawing more attention to a listless centerpiece, calla lilies are perfect summer flowers for bringing light, beauty, and grace to the atmosphere of your home.
Colorful trumpeted calla lilies beautify any bridal bouquet!
Lilies are excellent seasonal flowers. Summer months see the lily at its finest with use in bridal bouquets, home décor, gardening, or fresh flower arrangements delivered to loved ones. One of the most popular types of summer flowers is the stargazer lily. This easily recognizable flower is popular for its unparalleled ability to add beauty and color to fresh flower bouquets. The brilliant star-shaped pink and white bloom matches the intensity of the summer months but with intense distinction rather than intense heat. Stargazer lilies definitely make a bold statement regardless of how it is chosen for display.
Stunning stargazer lilies make incredible summer wedding flowers!
The birth month flower of August is gladiolus which is another fabulous flower for summertime bouquets. These flowers bloom all summer and are very popular in all most special occasion arrangements during the warm summer months. Looking at gladiolus, with just the right amount of brilliant color, helps tone down the intense heat of the summer and brings a more appealing cool to whatever room I’m in.
Glorious Gladiolus zest up any table!
Of the many flowers in season in summer, liatris should always be counted among the most distinctive types of summer flowers. Liatris stands tall and proud in fresh flower arrangements, drawing definite attention to the height and beauty of the bouquets. The bright purple bottlebrushes of the liatris quickly enhance plain-jane tables or gardens with a pop of stunning color. Summer wedding centerpieces also benefit from the fun and fancy appeal of the tall, colorful flowers.
Use liatris to add height to your fragrant garden!
There are so many uses for these great summer flowers. Personally, I look forward to seeing the large hydrangea bushes outside of my home each day. The blue-purple blooms never fail to attract my attention. Looking out of my window each morning, I greet the day with a smile as my hydrangea plants greet me with color. In the process of planning a summer wedding for a friend, I definitely cannot overlook the versatility of lilies in our bridal bouquets. My friend being a huge fan of stargazer lilies, I’m sure her summer wedding will be a hit. Bringing gorgeous flowers inside is a job I leave to the others in the home but we are never failed by the wonderful summer blooming flowers.
Why Won’t My Calla Lily Bloom?
June 11, 2008 by
Ask the Expert: Cally Lilly Blooms
We have a Cally Lilly plant in our garden ( live in Northern Virginia) it’s growing great however no flowers. What’s the secret to get it to flower. it’s in full sun and is watered regularly.
thanks
George
Are Calla Lillies Available In September
August 15, 2007 by 3 Comments
Ask the expert:
I just had the quick question if I would be able to have cali lillies (sorry, not sure the exact spelling) in September.
Calla Lily Can It Make Your Wife Happy?
June 19, 2007 by Leave a Comment
Last week I was eating lunch with my husband, when one of his co-workers asked me if I knew what stage of pregnancy his wife was in. I said “about 7 months”. He shook his head no and replied, “I can do nothing right and she complaints that she’s fat and ugly”. I told him to be patient and that I wished I could help.
Sunday I was gazing at my garden when it came to me. Flowers! Flowers always make me happy. Then I had a real epiphany when I saw the Calla Lilies in my garden. He needed to send his wife Callas and the card could say “the flower of beauty for the beauty in my life.”
When you look up Calla Lily under flower meanings, it means beauty. Not only does Calla mean beauty; it is the essence of beauty with its velvety blossom and solid silhouette. In flower arrangements, it can be used to create a straight or curved line. Calla Lilies are also used to create form in a flower arrangement. Bloom size can range from 1″ to 6″ with stems 8″ to 30″ long. Calla Lillies are like a confident girl — standing proud and tall by themselves or mixing harmoniously with other flowers. Most people assume Callas are white only, however they come in shades of red, yellow, green, pink, purple and orange as well. The most appealing quality that a Calla Lily has as a cut flower is it’s long shelf life. Calla Lilies will last for a couple of weeks in a flower arrangement if taken care of properly.
The next time someone you know needs a little beauty in their life send them a Calla Lily bouquet. I’m having a bad hair day … hmm… maybe I need a Calla Lily flower arrangement.
calla lily 
Calla lilies from my garden
Need Calla Lily Care & Handling Tips?
March 25, 2005 by
Nita Asks:
Do have “care and handling tips for calla lilies”? How well they hold in a bouquet? Do they turn brown tips quickly out of water?
Brock’s Reply: Callas should be prepped as any other flower as far as cut, and placed in water containing hydration and food solution. They do not like an extremely cold cooler. They have excellent vase life, but don’t hold as well in foam. When you mention bouquet, if you mean a wedding bouquet, they certainly will hold long enough for the wedding and other events. Most of the time they are just tied together as stems for bouquets. Callas will eventually turn brown on the tips. The key to using callas is to buy them very fresh or tight. You don’t want callas that have sat at the wholesale house for several days before you get them.
