Calla Lilies
I immerse the pots in the small pond for the early summer and then, after flowering, move the pots to a drier spot on the deck to enjoy the foliage and let the roots dry out a bit between waterings (and harden off a touch for winter storage).
If you understand that other common names for this plant are Water Arum, Bog Arum, Wild Calla and Water Dragon, youÂ’ll understand why a lot of water is a good thing for this plant early in the season.
Hardiness
This is a hardy perennial and can live comfortably in a bog over winter into USDA zone 3. IIn fact they are native to much of the northeast and are even found in Alaska.
How to Grow
They could be comfortably grown in a bog in real soil. (I simply don't have the space yet so I keep mine in a pot) If you do it this way, it will be fine and can be divided in early spring every three years.Plant so the rhizomes are just under the soil.
Outdoors, it requires no special care for overwintering
Overwintering if Potted
I overwinter the pot indoors and treat it as a houseplant. I keep this calla lily damp all winter and then cut the foliage back in the early spring before going outside.I divide it in the spring as well if I need to (about every three years will keep it blooming heavily). Indoor or outdoor culture make no difference to the time or method of propagation. It will also produce a small seed pod of berries and these can be treated like any other perennial seed and grown into blooming plants. I note division is easier.
Cautions
Trying to grow this calla lily in the open, dry soil will simply kill it off.This is a poisonous plant and all parts are considered poisonous as they contain a silicate that will swell tender mouth parts (extremely painful as well).
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