Zantedeschia
J.E. Shields (Sat, 17 Jun 2006 10:29:39 PDT)

Hi all,

First, my thanks to Jim W. and to Mary Sue for the nomenclatorial
clarifications. I was not willing to stick my oars in the water until we
were clear as to what we are actually discussing.

I have two Zantedeschia growing outdoors in the ground, but in very
protected spots: up agaist the foundations of one of the greenhouses. Z.
aethiopica 'Green Goddess' is prospering at the south end of the
greenhouse. It is getting bigger each year, blooms early in the spring,
and has more bloom stalks every season.

Z. 'Black Pearl' is a mass market cultivar with a dark red-brown, almost
purple, inflorescence. It is increasing rapidly along the east side of the
same greenhouse. It is now up, and should bloom any time now.

This same bed, with the two Zantedeschia, also supports a bunch of Crinum
bulbispermum and some hybrids. Crinum 'Catherine' has been blooming this
week in that bed.

I tried several Zantedeschia in the open ground, in my wet bed (gets
frequent irrigation in summer but not in winter). None made it. Nor did
Calla paludosa, supposedly a hardy native here. I have Iris versicolor and
I. virginica in the same bed, and even a couple plants of Arisaema
triphyllum stewardsonii.

I would like to hear from folks who can grow Zantedeschia outdoors in the
ground all year round in USDA zones 7 or colder. I'm convinced that there
are out there somewhere some truly hardy Zantedeschia for zone 5, but I
just have not come across them yet! Who has them?

Jim Shields
in central Indiana (USA)

*************************************************
Jim Shields USDA Zone 5 Shields Gardens, Ltd.
P.O. Box 92 WWW: http://www.shieldsgardens.com/
Westfield, Indiana 46074, USA
Tel. ++1-317-867-3344 or toll-free 1-866-449-3344 in USA