Zantedeschia aethiopica Himalaya - Arum-lily

Zantedeschia aethiopica 'Himalaya' is a giant variety of Ethiopian arum, with spectacular vegetation adorned from spring to summer with large cone-shaped white flowers that can rise up to 2m (7ft) from the ground. It also bears beautiful undulating and glossy foliage, delicately mottled with white on a dark green background. It is perfect at the edge of water points or in humid beds. Its beautiful flowers will last a long time in bouquets. Hardy to -7°C (19.4°F), this perennial should be protected or removed in colder areas.

Originating from South Africa, particularly from Transvaal, the Ethiopian arum has become naturalised worldwide. It has given rise to some cultivars, including 'Himalaya', which is still very difficult to find in horticultural trade. It is an herbaceous perennial plant with a tuberous rhizome. It belongs to the Araceae family. An abundance of long-petioled leaves emerge from its stump in spring. They develop a very wide, sagittate, glossy, dark green lamina, displaying small white spots. The plant quickly forms imposing clumps, easily exceeding 1.2m (4ft) in foliage height, 1.8m (6ft) in flowering height (sometimes up to over 2m (7ft)), and at least 1m (3ft) wide. Flowering occurs from May to October, in successive waves if the plant does not lack water. This flowering can be easily advanced by greenhouse forcing. The magnificent inflorescences are composed of a pale-yellow spadix surrounded by a white flaring spathe, whose velvety texture mixes with the rough touch of parchment. Their subtle fragrance of aniseed and rice powder is noticeable when up close. If the soil is dry in summer, the foliage dries up and the plant enters dormancy. In consistently moist to wet soil, vegetation will be destroyed by the first frost.

Arums are making a comeback. Their strong presence is welcome in contemporary, exotic, or cottage gardens. Their generous clumps enhance the edges of well-designed basins and the back of beds in moist soil. They also create beautiful potted displays. Zantedeschia aethiopica 'Himalaya' can even be grown under 20 to 30cm (8 to 12in) of water during the growing season. Planted en masse or isolated near a walkway or porch, the Ethiopian arum pairs well with peonies, daylilies, delphiniums, and wet soil ferns (Osmunda regalis, Matteucia struthiopteris).