February Spotlight on Beauty: Calla Lily
Posted by Enchanted Florist Pasadena on 8th Feb 2016
What do you know about the lovely calla lily? If you're like us, the more you learn about them, the more you'll love them.
A Fragile Beauty That Stands Tall
Calla lilies usually grow from one to three feet tall. Thanks to their strong, pliable stems, callas make for beautiful, creative arrangements. The flowers are somewhat fragile, however.
Born in the African Tropics, Beautifully Adaptive
Callas are native to southern Africa and Madagascar, but at home virtually everywhere around the world. In ancient Rome, they were brought indoors to brighten homes before spring arrived. Throughout Europe, they have graced the homes and gardens of royalty (and many commoners) throughout history.
A Calla By Any Other Name
Calla lilies are often called Trumpet Lilies, because of their blooms' obvious resemblance to the bell of a trumpet. Botanists - who had a touch of confusion at first - settled on the name Zantedeschia aethiopica, and placed it in the Arum family.
American Love Affair With the Calla
Somewhat ironically, American painter Georgia O'Keefe made the lilies even more famous and familiar with her fabulous abstract artworks featuring calla lilies.
"I decided that if I could paint that flower in a huge scale, you could not ignore its beauty. ... I'll paint it big and they will be surprised into taking the time to look at it – I will make even busy New Yorkers take time to see what I see of flowers." ~ Georgia O'Keefe
Surprise Inside
O'Keefe could have painted the flowers for decades. What we typically think of as the "bloom" is actually the spathe, more like a leaf than a flower. It protects the spike-like spadix (which is gold or yellow in most varieties). The spadix is actually covered with hundreds of tiny blooms.
What A Calla Says and What to Do With A Calla
Calla lilies represent love and sincere respect, beauty and bliss. For this reason they are as appropriate at a wedding as they are in sympathy arrangements.
Their classic, simple and elegant lines make a beautiful statement alone in a vase, and lend themselves in arrangement to be either a graceful supporting character or the "leading lady."
When you need a beautiful arrangement to share the just-right sentiment, contact us. We'll help you get your message across.
Enchanted Florist
4416 Fairmont #104
Pasadena, TX 77504
(832)850-7677
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