Zantedeschia aethiopica Pink Mist - Arum-lily

Zantedeschia aethiopica 'Pink Mist' is a variant with pink flowers of the Ethiopian Arum, slightly less vigorous than the latter but with an original and charming flowering. It is also distinguished by the abundance of its flowers in the form of large cones (spathes), with a silky white colour radiated by a warm pink heart sheltering a pale yellow spadix. They appear early in spring, then again in summer and autumn, nestled in lush foliage, with a beautiful shiny dark green colour. Essential at the edge of water points or in damp borders, its flowers are also very beautiful and long-lasting in bouquets. Hardy to -12°C (10.4°F), this perennial will need to be protected or dug up in colder areas.

Originally from South Africa, more specifically from Transvaal, the Ethiopian Arum has become subspontaneous worldwide. Like it, 'Pink Mist', which is a sport of the species, is a herbaceous perennial plant with a tuberous rhizome belonging to the arum family. From spring, numerous long-petioled leaves with a very wide, sagittate, shiny, dark green lamina emerge from its stump. The plant quickly forms imposing clumps of 70 to 80cm (28 to 32in) in all directions. Flowering takes place from May to October, in successive waves as long as the plant does not lack water. This flowering can be easily advanced by forcing in a greenhouse. The magnificent inflorescences are composed of a pale yellow spadix, occasionally reddish, discreet, surrounded by an evasive spathe, whose velvety texture mingles with the rough touch of parchment. The colour of the centre of the flower, a vibrant salmon pink, illuminates the entire inflorescence, sometimes giving the impression that it is entirely pink, including the spadix. The fragrance, quite subtle, can be perceived by plunging one's nose into the heart of the flowers. It evokes the scent of anise and rice powder.

Long considered cold and static flowers, uprooted from the ground to adorn solemn bouquets or laden with religious connotations, Arums are making a comeback. Their generous clumps magnify the edges of well-designed pools, the depths of beds in cool soil, and allow for the creation of superb potted plants. Zantedeschia aethiopica 'Pink Mist' can even be cultivated under 20 to 30cm (8 to 12in) of water during the growing season. It pairs well with Solomon's seals, Salmon Party lilies, periwinkles, and Astilbes. We use them along our marsh, in the company of Asian primroses and Lysichiton, without winter protection; however, in colder regions, it is safer to grow them in a soil that is certainly cool and rich in humus, but well-drained, and to protect the stumps in winter with a layer of dead leaves.