ABC Wednesday - Z is for...

...Zantedeschia

Otherwise known as Arum or Calla Lilies, these magnificent architectural specimens were flowering profusely on Doug and Hilary's allotment plot at the end of June. I loved the way the sun was shining through their leaves when I was up there that morning. It's the largest clump I've ever seen and I suspect never lifted, thus proving that the white form at least can be hardy - our site is pretty exposed and windy at the best of times. Their lovely, trumpet like blooms seem almost unreal don't they?

I was bought one of these as a gift a few years back. I kept it in a small pot whilst I was deciding where it was to go in the garden. Sadly it didn't survive the winter and all that was left was a sad soggy white mess in the pot when I came to look at it in the spring. Last Sunday I 'rescued' a couple of specimens from Homebase - reduced to £1.99 from £7.99, so I'm prepared to take the risk again and try to treat them a little better this time around. I need a moist spot in the sun - I'm quite tempted to convert one of my large pots on the patio into a 'bog' garden for them as my moister parts of the garden are more shaded.

That completes ABC Wednesday Round 2. Our host, Mrs Nesbitt has announced Round 3 will commence next week - hurray! In the meantime, there's plenty of other Z pictures over at her place for you to enjoy. Now I've gone right through from A to Z, I feel I can now claim my ABC Wednesday Round 2 badge:

Comments

  1. Bear Naked16 July 2008 at 12:25

    Lovely photo of the Calla Lillies.

    ReplyDelete
  2. EG CameraGirl16 July 2008 at 14:11

    How interessting that the botanical name begins with Z (Zantedeschia) and one of the common names starts with A (Arum)...interesting bridge from the past ABC Wednesday to the next. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Andrea16 July 2008 at 14:27

    I love this plant. I did not know of this name though.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Kim16 July 2008 at 17:03

    They are beautiful flowers. I don't think I would have a place to put them in my garden either, the moisture is in the shade and the sun is too dry.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Suburbia16 July 2008 at 21:10

    Lovely Z's, one of my favourite flowers (despite my mother always saying they are for funnerals!)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Leslie:16 July 2008 at 22:06

    I have so many of these, but never knew their Latin name. They grow like weeds but are stunning when in bloom. :D

    ReplyDelete
  7. Katney17 July 2008 at 03:31

    We used to have those when I was growing up.

    ReplyDelete
  8. mrsnesbitt17 July 2008 at 09:16

    Wonderful stuff VP! Thanks for the award! I am trying so sort out wordle, then there will be an award for all ABCers.

    Dxx

    ReplyDelete
  9. Mrs Mac18 July 2008 at 22:17

    BEAUTIFUL!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. VP25 July 2008 at 21:18

    Hi everyone - glad you liked the picture. I'm hopping over to you guys to put a comment over at yours...

    ReplyDelete

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