Arum / Calla Lilies

Hi, yes in total agreement. The white Arums Z. aethiopica can be planted as marginals, but not the coloured ones. Have my Callas in pots that I overwinter in a cool greenhouse. My Arums are in the garden by the pond though & quite happy. I did find this out though, as a planting & care guide.
Plant callas lilies outdoors in a location that gets bright, morning light. They like some late afternoon shade, particularly in hot-summer areas. Keep them well-watered and weeded. Callas grow best in a moist soil that includes some organic matter. Plant the bulbs 4 to 6 inches deep and 1 to 2 feet apart. They can be planted 6 to 12 inches apart when grown in pots. Fertilize monthly with a good all-purpose fertilizer.

When to plant callas:
Although calla lilies are known as 'spring bulbs,' in tropical climates or USDA zones 8-10, ( we are probably around 6-7 here you may be more like 7-8 in Cornwall but not sure) calla lilies thrive outdoors year-round. They can be planted at any time!

In other areas, they can be planted when temperatures rest higher than 55 degrees F (below 55 degrees, calla lilies stop growing). Just make sure that there is no danger of frost or of temperatures dropping below 55 degrees in the first 12 weeks after planting..
During the winter:
In tropical climates (zones 8-10), calla lilies can be left in the ground over winter without trouble, although some gardeners prefer to mulch with bark or straw during the colder months.

In other areas, lift the bulbs before the first frost, clean off excess soil, let dry out of the direct sun for a few days, then store in a dry location that remains between 50 and 60 degrees F. Re-plant in spring after the soil has warmed and all danger of frost has passed. ...!!
Hope this helps..

 

:D Like it Bleujenn...!! :D Good luck with the lilies.... :D

 

Hi Sash & welcome...
You can do a wildlife pond in anything from a large planter to an old bath. Really any container will do, or build a pond.... !!! You MUST make sure there is a place where they can get in & out easily. Pile stones to make a ramp if nothing else... Have a look at these links. I am sure they will help you.. Let us know how you get on...

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/jamie.bajer/index.htm


http://web.ukonline.co.uk/conker/pond-dip/pond-making.htm


http://www.beautifulbritain.co.uk/htm/pond/pond_pages.htm


This should help too... Just remember not to put too many plants in to start with as they all grow so quickly....!! :eek:


Marginal plants come in all shapes and sizes. They generally sit at the edge of the pool with the water lapping more or less at soil level. Some plants do revel in a depth up to 15cm as in the case of the Menyanthes trifoliata (bog bean) or Iris pseudacorus (the flag Iris) which makes some people like to classify some of the plants as deep water marginals, but these plants are generally tolerant of any depth and will grow out to the deeper depth anyway.

Marginal plants have the dual function of softening the edges of the pool area and using up the mineral resources in the pool. They provide secure cover for wildlife and act as a jetty for the activities of wildlife in and around the pool. Early spring colour, the beauty of them in reflection and their often striking foliage also help make them an essential ingredient for the water garden.

Allow at least one plant for every 0.5sq m (5 sqft). Plant them in aquatic baskets and place them in groups of the same variety in larger pools. In smaller pools, I am not sure that having more than one species in one basket works, certainly not in the long run. One of them always seems to win out over all the others.

Beware of what you choose, if there were ever any hooligans in the plant world, then a good number of them would be found amongst the plants often sold a marginal plants. For owners of smaller pools, be particularly cautious in choosing some of the larger and indigenous marginal plants like Typha (Reed Mace), Scirpus (Bulrush), Phragmites australis (Norfolk Reed). They are definitely questionable bedfellows. But you will find that even with these fast rooting, shooting pond fillers, their misbehaviour is moderated by a good cross section of other more ponderous representativ

 

Hope they are of help then.. Sounds to me like you are maybe after a "Bog Garden"?? Try this link....
http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/htbg2/flat/module4/bog_garden_plants1.shtml

Good luck..!!! :D