All about CALLA LILIES

Calla Lilies are very popular for wedding bouquets as they signify magnificence and beauty.

I'd like to say that they are one of the most beautiful flowers with a unique form. Based on my research they also come by other names such as arum lily, trumpet lily, pig lily. Though called a lily, Calla Lilies are not really lilies. They are excellent houseplants, best for beds, borders, bouquets and flower arrangements.

Some interesting facts about calla lilies:
- they have long-petioled, basal leaves arising from a thick rhizome
- calla lily is a perennial bulb
- It is a flowering genus of twenty-eight species originating in Africa and growing mostly in marshy areas
- Blooming time of Calla Lilies is late spring
- The word Calla comes from the Greek Term for "beautiful"
- The Calla Lily roots are poisonous

Many of my brides client would prefer calla lilies (much prettier than roses they say as wedding bouquet and much affordable from tulips). I like the color yellow and white the most - it perfectly exemplify the magnificence and beauty of the flower.

I also learned that calla lilies come in mini and regular/large size.

The regular/large sized callas only grow in 2 colors - the Classic Large White or the Green Goddess. They have really large blooms on very tall, sturdy, thick stems.

All other callas are called "mini" callas. Within the Mini Callas, there are 2 stem heights - premium stem height and extra tall stem height. The stems are thinner and the flowers are more delicate and smaller.

So which can be recommended for a bridal bouquet? The answer would be mini calla lilies. For a bridal bouquet, 30-40 callas would do for a nice, full and lush bridal bouquet (although some would also use the large classic ones ranging around 30pcs).

Calla Lilies also work as boutonnieres specifically the mini callas.

Another thing that brides and grooms should know is that calla lilies don't really have an association with a particular season. The brightly colored mini callas (like pink, yellow, lavender) are more popular in the Spring and Summer, and the large white and darker colored calla lilies (orange, purple, black/ deep purple) are more popular in Fall and Winter.