- Approximate height: 23cm (9 inches)
- Recommended water depth over crown of plant: 5 - 15cm (2 - 6 inches)
- Flowering time: May to June
- Flower colour: White
- Supplied bare root - for best results we recommend potting on using a 3 - 4 litre pot
This attractive marginal plant produces one or two simple, white, arum-like flowers in late spring, followed by bright red berries in autumn. It has heart-shaped, glossy, mid-green leaves and spreads gradually via plump, shiny, horizontal, creeping stems. Thriving in shallow water, the plant is useful for softening the edges of a pond with its lush, slightly exotic-looking foliage. Unlike many pond plants, it can grow and even flower in shade, though planting in full or partial sun will encourage more blooms. The older leaves of this plant turn yellow relatively quickly, but this is a natural part of the plant's growth cycle and not a sign of poor health. Although sometimes marketed as a British native, it is actually native to Europe, Asia, and North America, but not to Britain.
Since Calla palustris prefers to grow as a horizontal rhizome, we only supply the plants bare root (they tend to 'jump' small mail order pots very quickly). For the same reason, we have recommended a 3 or 4 litre pot for your plant because these will have a wide opening. However, a 2 litre pot would be enough if it has an opening of around 20cm. Plant your bare-root plant with the cut end of the rhizome against the edge of your pot (so that the 'growing' end has the most space) and have the rhizome itself almost, but not quite, covered in soil; so that it doesn't float. If the plant has jumped its pot by the following spring, simply replant it using the same method.
You will receive three separate rhizomes (see picture). Please note that this plant is toxic if eaten.
If designing a planting scheme, we recommend approximately 1 Calla palustris plant per square foot of ground or per linear foot of pond edge. Read more here on how to pot and care for your plant.