Calla lilies – all the flower facts you need
When shopping for lilies, you will notice that there are a number of varieties available at your local florist. Calla lilies are one of the most popular varieties and they certainly stand out due to their unique appearance. Unlike most other flowers, these blooms do not consist of several petals. They are also loved for their sweet perfume and many brides choose to include them in their bridal bouquets for this very reason.
Native to South Africa
Calla lilies are native to South Africa and they are also known to thrive in other locations such as Madagascar. While they are native to a country where the climate is known to be on the warmer side, this does not mean that they cannot be grown elsewhere. The key is to understand the needs of this plant and make sure that these needs are met.
Annuals and perennials
Your local climate will determine whether you can grow these plants as annuals or perennials. For instance, if you enjoy extremely low temperatures and snow in the winter, you will only be able to grow calla lilies as annuals. If you experience mild winters such as those in South Africa, you can enjoy them as perennials because they will not perish in the winter.
Cut flowers
As cut flowers, they are known to last up to two weeks in a vase. If they last less than a week, it usually means that they were not properly cared for. It is important to provide cut calla lilies with fresh water and retrim their stems as soon as you notice bacteria start to take hold. These blooms are really thirsty so you should keep an eye on the water level in the vase.
Displaying lilies
When you want to enjoy them in your home, you should choose a tall vase so that you can make the most of their long stems. Calla lilies are fairly large in size, apart from the miniature varieties, which is why you should leave the stems as long as possible.
Whether you want to decorate your home or you are planning a special event, calla lilies can help improve the atmosphere and make for a truly sophisticated experience. They are elegant and the pure white varieties are the most popular of all.