Cala, the flower of simple elegance -

The cove (zantedeschia rehmannii) is from the same family as the "arum", which the English call "Cala Lily".

It is a bulbous, perennial and deciduous foliage plant composed of large, bright green leaves.

Trumpet-shaped flowers, called spathews, emerge from vivid green foliage with beautiful cylindrical stems and brighten up the garden. The plant can reach between 50 cm to 90 cm in height.

The plant blooms throughout spring to early summer.

The calla lily flowers, 10 to 15 cm long, generally white, surround an elongated central heart, of a more or less intense yellow color.
The cove is resistant down to -10 ° C; Its cultivation is best in cold regions and in general, in a place that protects it from the winds.

To the delight of the neophyte gardener, the calla grows quickly in the garden in good planting conditions. It could be said that it is a matter of region or climate, since it is almost easier to describe it as a houseplant, but in reality the calla is one of the most beautiful flowers in the gardens.

Coves care

The cove does not support long periods of drought. Being a bulbous plant, it appreciates cool soils, and is sometimes even grown in flower ponds, submerged in 30cm of water, at the edge of the pond.

It should be given regular waterings, more or less generous depending on the period, in fact, in a period of prolonged drought, the soil will dry out, first on the surface, then in depth. A very local irrigation and very little irrigation is not enough. It is necessary to water abundantly, which allows the water to penetrate the soil in depth, giving rise to the roots of the cove to be strengthened, extracting the necessary nutrients for its development.

Calla lilies can be grown in pots or in the garden. In some countries, this plant is often referred to as a houseplant, probably due to its intermediate resistance.

In the garden, the plant will require a deep, cool, humus-rich and well-draining substrate, and a sun exposure in partial shade.

To grow in pots, you should choose fairly large pots, 30 to 35 cm, and if we are going to plant calla bulbs, you should place between 3 and 4 bulbs per pot.

It is advisable to remove dead flowers from the calla to benefit flowering.
In the fall, the calla leaves should be allowed to turn yellow. This is what ensures that the bulb is replenished for the following year's bloom.
During the first frosts, the leaves should be cut short, and the roots of the plant protected with a mulch once the leaves have been cut.

When and how to plant calla lilies

Calla lily bulbs or rhizomes are planted in the fall to flower in the spring.

The substrate is loosened, to the depth of a shovel, approximately 20 to 25 cm.
Depending on the nature of the soil, it can be improved with compost to ensure good plant development, and if necessary, sand can be added to ensure good drainage.
Holes are prepared for the bulbs, keeping a distance of 40cm between them.

If we have rhizomes already growing, they are planted at a depth of about 10 cm, the substrate is rammed around them and watered.

Reproduction of calla plants

Calla plants can be replicated very easily.

Usually each spring, the mother plant produces new extensions of its rhizome. To make a division, it is enough to separate these younger rhizomes from the mother rhizome manually, or with the help of a sharp shovel, taking care to leave at least 3 buds in each cut piece of rhizome.
They can be planted directly in their final place in the garden, or in a large pot.

If we have a garden, they can be located in a massif of perennial plants, or along a border.
In case of not having it, we can also enjoy the beauty and elegance of its flowers if we plant it in a large pot, with a substrate well enriched with humus.