Calla 'Royal Valentine' – Planting & Care Guide

About Calla 'Royal Valentine'

Calla 'Royal Valentine', also known as Zantedeschia 'Royal Valentine' or Calla Lily, is an elegant, exotic-looking perennial prized for its striking deep pink to rich raspberry-red, trumpet-shaped flowers. The beautifully sculpted blooms rise above lush green foliage, creating a sophisticated display throughout the summer months.

Growing to approximately 40–60cm tall with a spread of around 30–40cm, 'Royal Valentine' is particularly effective in patio containers, summer borders and as a cut flower. Its compact habit also makes it an excellent choice for smaller gardens and balconies.

Planting Guide

• Plant in full sun or light partial shade.
• Choose a warm, sheltered position protected from strong winds.
• Prefers fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil.
• For containers, use a good-quality multipurpose or loam-based compost.
• Plant container-grown plants at approximately the same depth as they were growing in their pot.
• If planting rhizomes, position them approximately 5–10cm deep.
• Water thoroughly after planting.
• Keep the soil consistently moist during active growth without allowing it to become permanently waterlogged.
• Space plants approximately 30–40cm apart.

Care & Maintenance

Calla 'Royal Valentine' performs best with regular watering and feeding during the growing season.

• Water regularly from spring through summer.
• Do not allow actively growing plants to dry out completely.
• Feed every 2–3 weeks during flowering with a high-potash liquid fertiliser.
• Container-grown plants require particularly regular watering during warm weather.
• Remove faded flowers to keep plants looking tidy.
• Reduce watering gradually once the foliage begins to die back in autumn.
• Keep dormant rhizomes relatively dry during winter.

Pruning

Very little pruning is required.

• Remove faded flowers by cutting the stems near the base.
• Remove yellow or damaged foliage as necessary.
• Allow healthy leaves to remain after flowering so they can replenish the rhizome.
• Once the foliage has naturally died back, it can be removed completely.

Growing Conditions

• Botanical Name: Zantedeschia 'Royal Valentine'
• Common Name: Calla Lily
• Plant Type: Rhizomatous perennial
• Mature Height: Approximately 40–60cm
• Spread: Approximately 30–40cm
• Flower Colour: Deep pink to raspberry-red
• Flowering Period: June to September
• Foliage: Lush green, often lightly spotted
• Position: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Fertile, moist but well-drained
• Growth Rate: Moderate
• Hardiness: Tender to frost – winter protection is recommended in Ireland.

Winter Care

Unlike fully hardy garden perennials, coloured Calla Lilies such as 'Royal Valentine' require protection from significant frost.

• Container-grown plants can be moved into a cool, frost-free location for winter.
• Allow the foliage to die back naturally before reducing watering.
• Keep dormant plants relatively dry during winter.
• Plants growing in the ground can be lifted after the foliage dies back and the rhizomes stored somewhere cool, dry and frost-free.
• In exceptionally mild, sheltered gardens they may survive outdoors with heavy protection, but lifting or moving pots under cover is the safer option.

Ideal Uses in the Garden

Calla 'Royal Valentine' is particularly effective where its exotic flowers can be appreciated up close.

• Patio containers
• Summer borders
• Courtyard gardens
• Contemporary gardens
• Balcony planting
• Exotic planting schemes
• Mixed summer containers
• Conservatories
• Cut flower gardens

It combines beautifully with Agapanthus, Cannas, Dahlias, Heucheras, Carex, Phormiums and other summer-flowering container plants.

Seasonal Interest

• Fresh foliage emerges during spring.
• Dramatic raspberry-red flowers appear throughout summer.
• Individual flowers are long-lasting and excellent for cutting.
• Attractive foliage provides additional interest between flowers.
• Plants naturally enter dormancy as temperatures fall in autumn.

Common Problems

Calla 'Royal Valentine' is generally straightforward to grow when kept warm and adequately watered.

• Frost is the main concern and can damage or kill unprotected rhizomes.
• Yellow foliage during active growth can indicate excessive watering or poor drainage.
• Plants may fail to flower if they receive insufficient light.
• Aphids and spider mites may occasionally occur.
• Slugs and snails can damage emerging shoots.
• Excessively wet conditions during winter can cause rhizome rot.

With its rich raspberry-red flowers, elegant form and compact habit, Calla 'Royal Valentine' is a superb choice for adding an exotic touch to Irish patios and summer gardens. It performs especially well in containers, where it can be enjoyed throughout summer and easily moved to a frost-free position for winter protection

• Size
  2L

Kindly be aware when mix/ mixed/ assorted/ varieties is mention you will receive ONLY ONE plant/ item, which will be selected for delivery, photos may show different varieties available - which may also vary 

 
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Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

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