1 | AppearanceÂ
Dark and dramatic maroon-hued petals emerge from tube-like stems in this decidedly gothic bloom. The dark coloring of black star calla lilies is not natural; rather, it’s the result of selective breeding.
2 | Uses
Add a dash of contrast and drama to the garden and bring cut stems indoors for arrangements or a single stem placed in a bud vase. The flowers will last seven to 10 days if kept in deep water.
3 | Grow
Plant the bulbs in fall in moist, well-drained soil in full or half-sun areas of the garden.
4 | Lagniappe
According to Greek mythology (or one telling, at least) calla lilies are the beautiful result of a betrayal. Zeus had an affair with a mortal woman while married to the goddess Hera. Zeus tricked the goddess into feeding his son, Hercules, with her milk while she was asleep, infusing the infant with superpowers. When Hera awoke and realized what was happening, she cast the child aside, spilling two drops of milk on the Earth. The milk transformed into calla lilies. Kallos, the word from which calla was derived, is the word for the ancient Greek ideal of beauty, which is fitting for this delicate and — judging from depictions like Robert Mapplethorpe’s Calla Lily series and Georgia O’Keeffe’s paintings of the bloom — sensuous flower.
