Black Calla Lily - Bulb

Plant your Calla Lilies 'Schwarzwalder' in humus rich, well-drained soil in an area with complete sunshine. You can improve poor soil by mixing in some compost. The roots should be set at about 10 cm deep. Zantedeschia thrives in a rather moist soil. Always use fresh potting compost if planting in pots or window-boxes.

If you have a rather boggy corner in the garden, the Zantedeschia 'Schwarzwalder' is lovely combined with the Hosta. Especially one with blue-green leaves which will contrast beautifully with the dark purple coloured flowers of the 'Schwarzwalder'. Calla Lilies in different colours planted together also look great in a large planter.

Did you know that the Calla Lily 'Schwarzwalder' is grown for its showy spathes? The vase-shaped burgundy coloured 'flower' is not actually a flower at all. The real flowers are tiny and grow on the little, pale yellow spadix, which is almost completely surrounded by the leaf-like graceful spathe. As its wonderful spathes last so long, Calla Lilies are very popular as cut flowers. The Calla Lily is also called Zantedeschia.

Want to cut some Calla Lilies for the vase? Pluck the complete stem carefully from the plant. The arrow-shaped, often spotted, leaf looks great in bouquets too.

Give (Zantedeschia) ‘Schwarzwalder' lots of water in the summer – the soil should remain slightly damp. For more profuse flowering, we recommend regularly adding plant food to the watering can when watering. During dry periods, for plants in pots, keep a saucer with water in under the pot. Stop feeding when there are no more flowers.

The Calla Lily is not a hardy plant, so does not tolerate frost. Therefore it is advisable to grow them in pots that can be brought in for the winter. Keep the potting soil on the dry side during this time but do not allow it to dry out completely. A little more water can be given early spring and the Zantedeschia 'Schwarzwalder' can go outside shortly after. Bring indoors again if frost is forecast.