The elegant Calla Lily, botanically known as Zantedeschia, is a popular choice for gardens and floristry due to its distinctive, trumpet-shaped blooms and glossy foliage. These striking flowers, which range in color from classic white to deep purples, are typically grown from an underground storage structure. Understanding where and when to reliably purchase high-quality stock is important for a successful display.
Understanding Calla Lilies: Rhizomes, Not Bulbs
Although often incorrectly referred to as “bulbs” by retailers and gardeners, Calla Lilies actually grow from rhizomes or tubers. This botanical distinction is helpful for the buyer, as it changes what you should look for when inspecting the stock. True bulbs, such as those of tulips or onions, are layered storage organs with a compacted stem at the base.
A rhizome is a modified, swollen stem that grows horizontally, generally just beneath the soil surface, sending out roots and shoots from nodes along its length. Calla Lily rhizomes appear as thick, fleshy, irregular lumps, sometimes with small bumps or “eyes” that are the growing points. These structures are solid and dense, serving as the primary storage organ for nutrients and energy.
Primary Purchasing Channels for Calla Lily Stock
Gardeners seeking Calla Lily stock have two main channels: online specialists and local outlets offering physical inspection. Online retailers, particularly specialty bulb and perennial suppliers, offer the widest range of Zantedeschia cultivars. These platforms often provide rare colors and specific hybrid varieties not typically found in mass-market stores.
Online suppliers allow for direct delivery of dormant rhizomes, often at competitive prices, with many companies guaranteeing the health of their stock. However, this method requires purchasing based on a description, as physical inspection is impossible before shipping. Large e-commerce garden sites also carry Calla Lilies, though the variety may be less extensive than dedicated specialty growers.
Local purchasing options include independent garden centers, nurseries, and large big-box home improvement stores. Local nurseries frequently offer stock acclimated to regional conditions, and their staff can provide specific growing advice. The primary advantage of shopping at a physical store is the ability to personally examine the rhizomes before purchase. Big-box stores provide immediate availability, typically stocking dormant rhizomes in the spring and sometimes potted, actively growing plants later in the season.
Key Criteria for Selecting Healthy Rhizomes
Successful Calla Lily growth begins with selecting a healthy, viable rhizome based on specific quality indicators. The most important attribute is firmness; a healthy rhizome should feel solid and dense, with no soft, mushy, or spongy areas, which signal rot or fungal infection. Any visible mold, particularly a dusty or fuzzy appearance, suggests improper storage and potential disease and should be avoided.
Size also plays a role in garden performance, as rhizomes are typically graded by circumference, measured in centimeters. Larger rhizomes (e.g., 14/16 cm) store more energy and generally produce a more robust plant with more flowers in the first season. Finally, avoid rhizomes that appear excessively shriveled or lightweight, as this indicates significant dehydration and a reduced chance of successful sprouting.
Optimal Seasonal Timing for Purchase and Planting
The optimal timing for purchasing Calla Lily rhizomes is tied to the intended spring planting date for summer blooms. In most temperate regions, the purchasing window opens in late winter and early spring, allowing acquisition before the ground is ready. Rhizomes should not be planted outdoors until the danger of the last frost has passed and the soil temperature has warmed to at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
Gardeners in colder climates (USDA Zones 3-7) must treat Calla Lilies as annuals or plan to lift and store the rhizomes for winter, making spring purchasing necessary. To get a head start, rhizomes can be purchased and potted indoors a month or two before the last expected frost date. Purchasing close to the planting date minimizes the risk of drying out or developing storage issues.