I'm not a fan of white Easter lilies, so I got myself a calla lily instead to use as a table centerpiece. Per my water garden books, this can be a bog or marginal plant, but there appears to be some sort of winter protection to the crowns that I am a bit unclear on. Has anyone in the PNW had success keeping these in-pond over winter, or should I plan to winter it over in the barn or basement? One of my books is particularly confusing: hardy or half-hardy, deciduous or evergreen, bog or marginal --- ?? The tag at the grocery store says it may colonize if it likes its conditions but of course is a bit hazy on what those conditions might be. I bought it from Haggen and while the garden lady is very nice, she is not overly knowledgeable. This was one of my Mom's favorite flowers so I'm happy to just enjoy it while I can, but also hoping to keep it going. Thanks, and have a great Easter.

I did not know callas were marginal or pond plants. I have them along the north side of my house and they do well. Maybe mine is so tough because the original was a self sown plant that I moved years ago to our current home. Never has had protection in all these years.

Jewell that's beautiful! I've always considered them shade plants, but also wasn't aware that they could be pond plants! That's cool!

Beautiful pic, Jewell.

Thanks Greg and kosk

Deb, I'm not sure about it being a pond plant. Is it the big white one or the new hybrids?

It is Zantedeschia aethiopicda 'Large White' if that is helpful. I have placed it on a shelf in my small pond and will see how it does, it's in about 6-8" of water. It appears I should treat it as a water lily during the winter, and submerge it to the bottome of the pond for protection. Or bring it in to the barn or basement. I'll likely try the first option.

Deb I'll be so curious to hear how it does throughout the year!!!

It will indeed be an experiment. Hopefully a successful one, I keep finding conflicting information. But the plant was $10 so I'm not out much.

That's good!! I gave Mark an Iris rhizome which he is doing almost the same thing with, even though its not a "swamp" Iris, so it'll be interesting to get updates on that one too!

Around here people grow Zantedeschia aethiopica pretty much as an ordinary garden plant. Across the street from me they are along the side of the house and down around the corner from me there are a whole bunch of them all along a driveway. I have also read they can be grown pondside but haven't seen anyone growing them like that here. If you have more than one you could try both ways. I think I could almost say they grow like weeds here.

Well, here it sits directly in the water. I'll keep you posted on how it does in full submersion. So far, no ill effects, other than some slug nibbles on the lower leaves.

Isn't that beautiful!! Yes I am curious to hear updates!

That looks nice in your pond. Hope it works!!

springcolor said:That looks nice in your pond.

Deb, I was just thinking about your question about protecting your calla during the winter. I'll bet that if your pond doesn't freeze solid you might be safe. The reason I ended up with callas along that part of the house was because each year I dug the same bloody plant up, for about five years. Eventually I got it all out of the initial spot, but it took awhile. With that kind of tenacity a calla that enjoys pond living will be a happy camper as long as its deep roots aren't frozen...maybe.

looks beautiful!

Jewell, I think my pond does not freeze solid over winter even though it appears to. I have goldfish and water lilies that survive the winters, so assume there must be some unfrozen water toward the bottom. It's one of those preformed units and probably only 2' in the deepest part? Sometimes I remember to hit the ice with a maul to get some oxygen to the fish, but most often not. I just put feeder fish in there and let them fend for themselves, I think they are 15-20 cents apiece from the pet store. I will occasionally have a massive predator kill, then just replace with more. Currently have two that are about 5" large and perhaps 12-14 babies from last summer.

Deb, sounds like our fish ponds are about the same, only mine is poured cement done about thirty years ago. I had to finally put an electric fence around our pond because of city raccoons. They had totally killed it about seven years ago. Ate the lilies, and ALL the beetles and dragonfly larva and it was gross. I was even going to fill it in, but remembered the old electric fencer. It has worked wonders. Even after the fencer died the raccoons avoided the pond. Last year a great blue heron started visiting. After it thinned out the fish by half I went ahead and ordered a new fencer. We are back on track.

Jewell, so how does it keep the Heron out?? They can be huge "eaters"!! I can't believe the racoons even ate the lillies (maybe they taste like water chestnuts? :tongue_smilie:)
Glad you figured it out so you can enjoy your pond again!