Calla Lillies

**jlxian** · 03-29-2005, 05:40 PM

I was given two very pretty calla lillies for an Easter gift, and I have been hoping I can plant them in my yard. However..... when I checked one of my seed catalogs I noticed the ones in the catalog are for zone 8 - 11, and I am in zone 6.

There is no variety noted on these plants, and no care label. They came from WalMart.....

I am pretty positive a friend of mine years ago grew calla lillies in her yard here.... she has moved and I can't ask her. Any ideas?

If worse comes to worst I will go ahead and plant them; hopefully I can find a protected spot, and hope for the best.

**forestdale** · 03-29-2005, 05:52 PM

Jean, calla lillies are tough plants. They grow like weeds here, you can't kill them! They are frost hardy, I'm not sure about snow but EVERY plant will survive outside its natural zone if you can create the right microclimate.

Do you have a brick or stone wall? That will protect the lillies and provide warmth during the night. Can you plant them beside a shed?

Plant them in a large whole that you've filled with good compost or rich fertile soil. They love feeding so give them some fertilizer, and stand back. If you don't think they'll survive your winter, can you dig them up and take them inside.

Oh, another thought, what about planting both of them in a large terracotta pot. You'll be able to move it around to maximize the growing conditions and take it indoors during winter.

**homesteadmamma** · 03-29-2005, 06:01 PM

Jean we live in zone 3 and we grow Calla lilies with no problem. All I did was plant them in rich soil and watched them grow. They were stunning.

**PrairieRose** · 03-29-2005, 06:05 PM

We have them in zone 6 and they survive our winters too. Just plant em like Rhonda said and you'll be enjoying them for years to come.

**jlxian** · 03-30-2005, 10:54 AM

Thanks everyone! Great news. I am still pondering where to plant them, but am thinking about the area next to our porch steps which has a southern exposure. I have daffodils there and they always come up earlier than the daffodils in my yard so I'm thinking it is protected and warmish there.