Calla lily (Zantedeschia 'Serenade')
Zantedeschia 'Serenade' is a showy Calla lily offering mauve-pink blooms. Grow in moist to wet soils from zones 8-10.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Zantedeschia ‘Serenade’ is a captivating herbaceous perennial, commonly known as the Calla lily, prized for its distinctive floral display. This variety stands out with its elegant mauve-pink blooms set against speckled foliage, making it a valuable addition to both garden borders and specialized water features. Gardeners appreciate the Calla lily not only for its aesthetic appeal but also for its substantial, year-round interest when managed correctly in appropriate climates.
Mature Zantedeschia ‘Serenade’ plants typically reach heights between 1.25 and 1.5 feet, forming manageable clumps suitable for various settings. As a member of the Araceae family, this plant demands consistent moisture, thriving where its rhizomes remain continually damp. Successful cultivation offers stunning, long-lasting blooms from mid-summer into early autumn.
These versatile plants bridge the gap between traditional garden beds and aquatic environments. Whether used as a dramatic accent in a rain garden or as a liner for pond edges, the Zantedeschia ‘Serenade’ provides structural beauty. Its rhizomatous nature allows for exciting experimentation, particularly for gardeners looking for exotic textures near water.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Araceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 8-10
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1.25-1.5 ft
- Spread: 1-1.5 ft
- Bloom Time: July to August
- Bloom Description: Mauve-pink
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium to wet
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Planting Zantedeschia ‘Serenade’ rhizomes is best done in the spring once all danger of frost has passed. These Calla lilies require moist to very wet soils to perform optimally. While they tolerate full sun in cooler climates, providing part shade offers protection during the hottest afternoon hours, which is generally preferred.
Consistent moisture is key to maintaining a healthy Calla lily. Ensure the soil remains damp to wet, particularly during the active growing season of summer. Water deeply, especially if grown in standard containers rather than aquatic settings. Because they are relatively easy to overwinter, gardeners in colder regions should plan to lift rhizomes in the fall, storing them in a damp medium like peat moss.
For unique display options, Calla lilies may be planted directly into the mud at the shallow edges of ponds or water gardens. In milder Zone 7 areas, protection might be sufficient for overwintering them outdoors, especially if submerged adequately near non-freezing pond water. For year-round enjoyment indoors, place containers near bright, indirect light windows after bringing them inside before the first frost.
Landscape Uses
The recommended uses for Zantedeschia ‘Serenade’ are wonderfully diverse, leveraging its need for moisture. These Calla lilies excel as annual features in drier borders where supplemental watering can be provided, adding height and tropical flair. They transition seamlessly into containers, providing structure on patios or decks, especially when paired with moisture-loving annuals.
Perhaps the most compelling use for this plant is in aquatic landscaping. Treating the Zantedeschia ‘Serenade’ as a water plant, setting the rhizomes in shallow water at pond peripheries, satisfies its high water needs naturally. They are excellent inhabitants for rain gardens, helping to manage runoff while providing spectacular summer color.
The striking bloom form ensures that any placement is intentional and eye-catching. Use them near pathways where their structure can be appreciated up close, or cluster them for bold impact in a grouping display. Because the blooms are so highly prized, ensure placement allows for easy harvesting if using them as cut flowers.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Good Cut
Noteworthy Characteristics
Zantedeschia is a genus of 6 species from southern and eastern Africa, leading to many developed hybrids. Commonly called calla lilies, they are botanically related to the Arum family, not true lilies, and feature stemless plants where foliage and flowers emerge directly from rhizomes. The unique mauve-pink blooms of ‘Serenade’ often feature white bases that deepen to full pink, accompanied by speckled leaves, reaching about 1.5 feet tall.
Tolerances
- Wet Soil
Potential Problems
The greatest threat to the health of your Zantedeschia ‘Serenade’ is rhizome rot, which stems directly from overly saturated or poorly draining soil when grown outside of intended aquatic settings. To avoid this, ensure spring plantings occur only after the frost threat is completely passed and use well-draining, rich media if not planting directly into pond mud. Additionally, watch for common garden pests; Japanese beetles sometimes find the flowers and foliage appealing targets for feeding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Calla lily suitable for?
This Calla lily is reliably winter hardy in USDA Zones 8 through 10, though some protection might allow survival in Zone 7.
How large does Zantedeschia ‘Serenade’ grow?
Zantedeschia ‘Serenade’ typically matures to a height between 1.25 and 1.5 feet, with a spread generally ranging from 1 to 1.5 feet.
What sun exposure does Zantedeschia ‘Serenade’ need?
It performs well in locations receiving full sun to part shade, though it generally prefers some afternoon shade, especially in hotter climates.
When does Calla lily bloom?
The expected bloom time for this variety is during July and August, presenting attractive mauve-pink flowers.
Conclusion
The Zantedeschia ‘Serenade’ offers gardeners a reliable burst of exotic beauty through its mauve-pink inflorescences and speckled foliage during the height of summer. Whether you integrate this Calla lily into a water garden or manage it as a striking container specimen, its medium maintenance requirement is easily justified by the aesthetic rewards. Be sure to confirm your USDA zone compatibility or plan for proper rhizome overwintering to enjoy this beauty year after year.
Companion Planting
Selecting companions for Zantedeschia ‘Serenade’ should focus on plants that share its cultural requirement for abundant moisture. Bog mint (Mentha pulegium) or Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) thrive in similar wet conditions if you are utilizing the Calla lily in an aquatic environment. For containers or rain gardens, consider marginal pond plants or moisture-loving perennials like Hostas or Japanese Iris that can tolerate consistent wet feet without succumbing to overly dry conditions during summer heat.
Design Ideas
The structure and color palette of the Zantedeschia ‘Serenade’ lend themselves well to creating transitional zones between lawn or patio areas and permanent water features. Grouping three or five rhizomes together creates an immediate focal point due to their uniform height. For a dramatic effect, pair the mauve-pink blooms against deep green or variegated foliage plants in containers, echoing the speckled nature of its own leaves. They function excellently as thriller elements in large mixed pots due to their upright, stately presentation.
