Zantedeschia aethiopica ‘Himalaya’

Description

Zantedeschia aethiopica ‘Himalaya’ (White Giant) is an amazing introduction from growers in California producing flower spikes topped with the classic white arum lily flowers up to 1.80cm high. If that’s not impressive enough the leaves too are huge and distinct by having random silver white freckles on their upper surface.

Like all arum lilies, Zantedeschia aethiopica ‘Himalaya’ enjoys moist fertile soils even happy growing as a marginal plant, in fact some of the largest specimens I’ve seen have been growing in Koi carp keepers pond filters. For me I grow mine in very fertile heavy clay soil against both north and west facing walls mulching heavily to protect the shoots and roots from heavy frost. Of interest the plant in the north facing bed get’s larger than the sunny warm west facing specimen. The reason for the mulch is twofold, first to protect the plant from freezing, once winter arrives the foliage generally dies down and secondly to ultimately feed the plant as the rich mulch breaks down through the season