Zantedeschia elliottiana Lavender Gem - Calla Lily

Zantedeschia or 'Lavender Gem' Calla Lily is a variety of romantic and precious florists' Arum, with a delightful long-lasting lavender mauve flowering in a vase. Its satin-textured spathes emerge in summer from elegant foliage, glossy green, sometimes speckled with silver-white. Charming and unexpected near a body of water, it is best displayed in a pot immersed in shallow water on the terrace for maximum impact. To bloom and thrive, it requires warmth and a soil that is both moist and rich. The non-hardy rootstock should be protected from cold and dampness in winter.

Zantedeschia 'Lavender Gem' is one of the many hybrids obtained by crossbreeding two main species originating from Eastern and Southern Africa, namely Zantedeschia rehmannii and Z. elliottiana. Vegetation emerges from the ground in spring, in the form of large arrow-shaped green leaves, highly decorative outside of the flowering period. They are medium green in colour, glossy, sometimes speckled with white. This Calla Lily is of medium size, measuring between 50 and 60cm (20 and 24in) in height. Like other hybrids, this plant requires specific growing conditions to flower, from June to August. The flower, typical of Araceae, takes the form of a highly ornamental spathe, almost 10cm (4in) in diameter, hiding a small golden yellow spadix at its black centre. The spathe is mauve-pink on the inside, paler on the outside. The thick roots of this Calla Lily penetrate perpendicularly into the growing medium, they are fleshy and trailing rhizomes. In nature, this plant grows in marshes that generally dry up in summer, under year-round warm climates. The vegetation dries up, and the tuber enters a period of dormancy in a fairly dry soil. This vegetative cycle must be strictly respected in cultivation. Florists' Arums can live for many years if the cyclic rest period is well respected.

Zantedeschia 'Lavender Gem' is particularly suitable for pot cultivation, which allows it to be sheltered in winter and control the moisture level of the growing medium. It can also be planted in a cool area, near a body of water, or even partially submerged during flowering. Compose elegant bouquets with its flowers, fern leaves, freesias, or lilies, for example.