Zantedeschia Calla

[237SJ]

I went to the garden centre to buy a garden chair and came home with a Calla lily. The guy at the garden centre said it`s fully hardy (doesn`t say on the tag0 but the RHS says it`s not and I need to lift the bulbs for the winter. I wouldn`t have bothered if I had known. Can I get away with leaving it out in a sheltered spot all winter if I wrap it in bubble wrap? (I don`t want to bring it indoors)

[hammerman]

Zantedeschia are usually hardy....well Z. aetheopica is. This is the one with the big, white flower spathes and large, spear shaped leaves. I grow mine as a marginal in a pond in around 6" of water but they grow well in a border providing the soil is moist and rich. Watch out for slugs. When they die down in winter, a good mulch of compost or dried leaves over the crowns is often welcome.

The smaller, brightly coloured Calla lillies are not hardy and should either be lifted or heavily mulched

[Chipchopper]

Hi 237SJ, This lily originates from sunny south Africa, so if you have a sunny sheltered spot where you can plant it, it should be fine.
it grows from tubers which can be left in, but a good thick mulch at the end of the growing season, should keep em protected over the winter months.
So I don't think you need to bring it indoors.
Feed it about once a month with a general purpose fertilizer throughout the growing season.
Next step, buy a decent garden chair sit back and enjoy :-)

[ladybirder]

They are flourishing in lots of gardens where I live and they are massive, as tall as me. Beautiful, enjoy. I had some in a pot but something ate them, squirrels I think. Better luck with yours.

[shoota]

Do any necessary work tomorrow when it is World Naked Gardening Day.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Naked_Gardening_Day

[shoota]

(Professional gardeners not excluded....)

[Chipchopper]

Tip, DO NOT use a cactus to hide your modesty!

[237SJ]

I won't be doing any naked gardening here (Boston) - for once the weather is worse than in the UK. Thanks for the replies - I won't be planting the plant in the garden, I have put it in a patio pot (don't know if that makes a difference)