Arum Lily

The beautiful and familiar Easter Lily, Zantedeschia aethiopica is from southern Africa, but hardy in all but cold areas and severe winters. It is a semi-evergreen, tuberous perennial with a clump-forming habit. The 16”/40cm leaves are shaped like an arrow-head, and deep, glossy green. From May to July, the flowers rise above the clump, comprising big, pure white spathes with a pale yellow, faintly scented spadix. Even when the flowers go over, the clump of leaves retains great presence. Arum lily can be grown in containers, and also as a marginal plant, planted up to 1’/30cm deep in garden ponds.

Site: Sheltered
Soil: Any very moist or poorly-drained soil
Position: Full sun or partial shade
Season of interest: Late spring to midsummer
Hardiness: Fairly hardy (to -5 to -10ºC)
Height: 30” (75cm) Spread: 20” (50cm)

Photos by Franco Folini, Manuel M.V., and Anders Sandberg and licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.