Calla lily care

calla.little.suzy.jpgCalla 'Little Suzy' looking good in bloom.

   Q: I have calla lilies in my garden this year, but unfortunately, they are hidden by other plants. I'd like to transplant them to a better area where they can be "showcased." Can they be moved? If so, when? Since they have already bloomed, when can I cut back the foliage?

   A: Calla lilies aren't winter-hardy to our area (at least not usually), so the bulb-like rhizomes need to be dug and stored inside over winter once frost kills them off in fall.

   For now, it's fine to cut off the spent flower stalk, but let the leaves alone. Sunlight for the rest of this season will help recharge the plant.

   When frost kills the top growth, dig up the rhizomes, cut off the foliage and let the rhizomes air-dry for a few days. Then store them in peat moss or sawdust in a cool, dark place inside. Temperatures in the 40s or low 50s are ideal, if you have a place like that.

   In early spring, pot them up, water and let new shoots come up under plant lights, in a sunroom or next to a sunny window. Around Mother's Day, move the plants outdoors and get them gradually used to the light by giving them a little more time out and a little more sun each day over a 10-day period.

   Once they're outside all day and night for a few days, plant them in the ground where you'd like them. Full sun to part shade is ideal. The site also should be well drained. Soggy soil is the main way you'll kill them.

   The other option is to just wait until around Mother's Day and plant the rhizomes outside directly in the garden.