Zantedeschia elliottiana Captain Melrose - Calla Lily

The 'Captain Melrose' Florist's Arum, also known as the Zantedeschia 'Captain Melrose', is a hybrid bulbous plant native to New Zealand. This beautiful variety has white suffused with pale pink flowers (spathes) from mid to late summer. They contrast nicely with its dark green foliage, which is slightly mottled with white. It is a tender tuberous plant that requires warmth and a very rich moist soil to thrive. Very attractive in bouquets, at the edge of water features, or even in pots submerged in shallow water.

Zantedeschia 'Captain Melrose' is one of the many hybrids obtained by cross-breeding two main species native to eastern and southern Africa, namely Zantedeschia rehmannii and Zantedeschia elliottiana. It is part of the 'Captain Series', with over 70 new cultivars tested at the Wisley Botanical Garden in England. 'Captain Melrose' is a stemless variety with large sagittate dark green leaves mottled with white. It reaches a medium size, measuring about 60cm (24in) in height. Like other hybrids, this plant requires specific growing conditions to flower. The flower, typical of Arums, produces a highly ornamental spathe, almost 10cm (4in) in diameter, concealing a golden yellow spadix at its centre. Its thick roots penetrate perpendicularly into the growing medium, resembling fleshy and trailing rhizomes. In nature, this plant grows in marshes that typically dry out in summer, under warm climates all year round. The foliage dries up, and the tuber goes into a period of dormancy. This vegetative cycle must be strictly respected in cultivation. Florist's Arums can live for many years if the cyclic rest period is well observed.

Zantedeschia 'Captain Melrose' is particularly well-suited for potted cultivation. It can also be planted in cool areas, near a water feature, or even partially submerged during flowering.