Calla Lillies?

Question

Can they make black calla lillies? Do they need to be dye or sprayed with paint or something? Also, to keep them forever, is there a certain spray I can use on them to keep their shape? Thanks in advance!

Will I be able to get them in the state of Wisconsin for my wedding in September? It will be the last weekend but I do want these flowers in the worst way! Anyone know the cost? Are they horrible priced? I found a bouquet for me for $91.00. Is that bad?

Answer 1

Yes, you can buy black calla lilies lots of places. In fact, there are several different varieties of the 'black' lilies. They vary in shades from deep purple, to chocolate, to nearly pure black.
I warn you, though, that these bulbs are NOT hardy and depending on the variety, can be quite expensive! But, WOW!
What an incredible statement they make.

Some varieties are:

Captain Palermo (nearly TRUE BLACK)
Naomi Campbell
Black Forest
Hot Chocolate
Edge of Night


Here are a few links to buy some:

http://www.callalilyshop.pacificcallas.com/blackcallalilybulbs.htm

http://tinyurl.com/y3bk9s

http://tinyurl.com/y2fedr

As far as preserving them goes, there are several methods.
Here's a link to some of them. I'd pick a couple and then google those methods for more detailed instructions. I've seen callas preserved using the wax method and they're really gorgeous.
Never done it myself, though.

http://tinyurl.com/y63q9r

Happy Gardening!

Polly

p.s. Noticed you added info that you want them for your wedding.
Yes, you can buy them at specialty florists, and yes, they are VERY expensive. You might try buying the bulbs and planting them in hopes of growing your own and preserving them yourself for your bouquet. You can grow callas indoors, even. As I said, they're not hardy, meaning they don't overwinter or even do that well in some areas. Do a little research, maybe try to grow some of your own. It would be another of your own personal touches for your special day. Good Luck!

Answer 2

There is a naturally occuring black calla. I believe it's called "Midnitght".

I don't think you can keep them forever, no matter what you do. They certainly are not among the flowers that can be dried - way too much water content.

Check with a local nursery about how long callas will bloom in your area. I'm sure that callas are available for September, but I doubt that they will be fresh cut in your part of the country. $91 for a bouquet seems a bit high to me, but that's probably because I live in CA and once planted here, they grow like weeds. Making fresh flowers available at anytime of the year for an event like a wedding is costly unless you have a very good friend that is a commercial florist.

Answer 3

Calla lilies are not great subjects for dried flowers.

After years of being neglected, they are making a strong comeback, and the hybrid colors are quite amazing. Yes, purple-black is available.

Remember, most are seasonal plants. They need to produce foliage, flowers, ripen foliage, then die down.

If you want callas year-round, you're rather limited to whites, and the cultivars of Zatedeschia Aethiopica. They can grow year round or be dried off and left in dormancy. There are some newer mutations now on the market that will produce flowers almost a foot across! Z. "spotted gian" and Z. "herculues" are two of them. Pricey, but I think they'll be worth it!

Enjoy!

Answer 4

Yes,they have black calla lillies.The color is more of a VERYdark brown and very pretty.
I tried to grow these and never got any flowers,just foliage.As far as keeping them,you could hang them upside down in a dark,dry place and they might dry true to color...then you could spray with polyurethane or lacquer.

Answer 5

Why not use both flowers for either color scheme? Cascading bouquets can be made with both. In the red ,white and black roses in red with callas . In the green, white, brown the addition of roses in the palest shades of pink, lavender,yellow or one of the edged novelty roses would work or the bouquet could be pure white and green( both roses and callas) with brown ribbon accents worked into the bouquet.

Answer 6

They have developed black cala lillies that grow naturally:

http://www.paghat.com/callalily-night.html

Answer 7

hang it upsidedown to dry in a dark cool place, spray it with a clear or color-seal it and ...there u go