Fortunately, those who haven't are not too disadvantaged. Spring and summer annuals and vegetables would not have done much during the recent cool and rainy weather anyway. In fact, those who were punctual about planting tomatoes may have found that the earlier warm weather that lured them into the garden was enough to rouse hungry slugs and snails but did not continue long enough for the tomatoes to flourish.

It is, of course, advisable to plant warm-season annuals and vegetables soon to exploit expected warmer weather. Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, beans, squash and the first phase of corn planted early will disperse roots sooner and begin maturing as soon as the weather permits. Later phases of corn may be planted as preferred to extend production.

Lobelia, marigold, petunia, ageratum, impatiens and snapdragon (if you are one of the few who can grow them successfully) should also be planted soon but may be planted later if preferred so that cool season annuals may remain until weather becomes too warm for them. Annuals that prefer heat, such as sunflowers and zinnias, should probably be planted somewhat later, when they can grow faster than snails can eat them.

Incidentally, the Going Native Garden Tour, established by the California Native Plant Society, will commence May 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will include several gardens throughout the Santa Clara Valley. Participants must register online at www.goingnativegardentour.com, but admission is free. More information can be obtained by writing to Going Native Garden Tour, c/o California Native Plant Society, 3921 East Bayshore Road, Room 205, Palo Alto, 94303; by emailing chhaprahiya@yahoo.com; or by calling 408.274.6965.


Flower of the Week: Calla

The common calla, Zantedeschia aethiopica, is also known as the calla lily, but it is not a lily at all. It is a member of an unusual family that includes philodendrons and blooms with floral structures composed of a "spathe" and "spadix." The spathe is a single vegetative (non-floral) bract that functions as a corolla. Floral structures are actually densely contained on the spadix that protrudes from the center or base of the spathe. Like the flowers of poinsettia and bougainvillea, calla flowers are not remarkable, but the associated bracts are quite impressive.

The smooth, bright green leaves of the common calla may be as wide as 8 inches and as long as 18 inches and are suspended by soft, spongy petioles (foliar stems) that emerge from dense basal clumps. Mature height is typically less than 3 feet but may be more if shaded. Floral stalks emerge slightly higher than foliage primarily during spring and early summer but may appear during any season. Eight-inch-long spathes are pure white and resemble funnels, wrapped loosely around the yellow spadix. Varieties of the common calla as well as the various other species and associated varieties of calla exhibit a broad range of mature size, foliar qualities and floral color.

The common calla is certainly more "common" than the others and is not as discriminating of cultural or environmental conditions. They may either be installed as dormant rhizomes during bare-root season or while actively growing. Most soils are sufficient, and occasional saturation is easily tolerated. In fact, generous irrigation is preferred to occasionally dry conditions. Callas are not inhibited by partial shade but prefer sunny areas without reflective glare. Foliage may be cut back prior to emergence of new foliage and bloom in spring if preferred or simply removed as it is replaced and begins to fade. Snails do not cause significant damage to callas but may proliferate among the foliage from which they emerge at night to invade the garden.

Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be contacted at 408.358.2574 or at LGHORTICULTURE@aol.com.