Calla Lily at night

Showy in the daytime, this creamy white calla lily is spectacular against the velvet dark. Though white is the classical colour, these gorgeous flowers also come in pink, purple and bronze.

It came to my garden in the strangest way. I happened to be outside the Newton Library in the fall when the gardeners were lifting and dividing the clumps.

Another woman was eyeing the growing pile. "What are you going to do with those?"

"We have to throw them away," said the girl gardener, with evident regret. "Unless you want some?"

She did want some, and emboldened, I asked for some too. Last year I divided them and they are doing splendidly.