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Calla Lilies Are a Quiet Power in Floral Design

These flowers have this rare quality: With calm presence and strong character, they say a lot without ever raising their voice.

By: ANDREI BINDEA | 23-11-2025 | 3 min read
Trending Cut Flowers Floral Designs
Simply Calla Andrei Bindea

Some flowers shout for attention, and then there are calla lilies. Callas belong to that second group for me. They have this rare quality: they say a lot without ever raising their voice. Their sculptural form and quiet, vertical strength let me create strong, intentional work without needing extra drama.

In design, it is not often that you find a material with such a calm presence and such a strong character at the same time. A stem of Zantedeschia stands there, clear and confident, and immediately sets the tone of the piece. I do not feel the need to disguise it or hide it among other materials. It is already complete, already expressive.

Inspiration With Simply Calla

Perhaps I can convince you to join me in my appreciation for callas when I show some of the designs I have created with flowers from growers of the Simply Calla inspiration platform.

 

Andrei Bindea red and lilac calla bouquet
Two bouquets showing the versatility of the calla

 

Clean Lines, Strong Emotion

What I love most about working with callas is how they let me draw in space. Their stems are like lines of ink, and the spathes feel almost like a single brushstroke that opens into movement. From that first gentle curve of the stem to the twist of the bloom, the flower gives me a full range of expression. I can keep it strict and architectural, or I can stretch it into something more fluid and emotional.

 

Andrei Bindea purple calla and begonia bouquet
Pumpkin filled with callas, orchids, Eucalyprus, and leaf Begonias

 

Andrei Bindea purple calla and clematis bouquet
A more modest but indespendible role for the callas in this Clematis bouquet 

 

Callas are perfect when I want precision and poetry in the same design. I can group them tightly and build rhythm, or let a few stems rise above the composition and create tension. Even in a monochrome palette, they carry the emotion for me. I do not need many words or many flowers to tell the story. A few well-placed callas are often enough.

 

 

A Flower That Wants to Be Understood

For me, a calla does not ask to be decorated. It asks to be understood. If I overload it with accessories, I lose its essence. So I prefer to give it space. In a dramatic installation, callas become the vertical anchors that hold everything together. In a minimalist bouquet, a small number of stems can create an entire mood on their own. In both cases, the flower brings clarity.

 

Andrei Bindea purple and red calla bouquet
Purple callas that match practically any style, especially in autumnal designs

 

That is probably why I am so drawn to it. In a world full of options, callas keep my work honest. They have a distinct personality, yet they adapt to many styles, from contemporary to romantic, from strict lines to soft movement.

For me, the calla lily is more than just another beautiful flower. It is a statement of attitude, intention, and refined simplicity. Every time I place one in a design, I am reminded that real impact in floral art does not always come from volume or decoration, but from a single clear line that knows precisely where it is going.

 

Banner Simply Calla 2023-2 Desktop

FAQ

What is Simply Calla?

Simply Calla is an inspiration platform set up by calla growers and breeders to promote Zantedeschia and Aethiopica worldwide.

It brings together florists, garden centers, growers, wholesalers, and other horticulture professionals and shows how to use callas in arrangements, plant combinations, and retail concepts.

The platform shares ideas, trends, and practical examples through its website and social channels, often in collaboration with wholesalers and florist organizations.

Why do floral designers like working with calla lilies so much?

Because callas give a lot of visual impact with very little noise, you get clean lines, a clear focal point, and a sculptural feel that works in both contemporary and classic arrangements. They are one of those flowers that instantly bring structure and attitude into a design.

Are callas better for modern or classic design styles?

Both. Their graphic shape fits perfectly in modern, minimal, line-based work, but they can also soften into romantic or elegant bridal designs. It depends on how you place them: grouped and vertical for a modern look, or gently curved and layered for a more classic feel.

Can calla lilies be used in foam-free designs and installations?

Yes, absolutely. Their sturdy, tubular stems work well in foam-free mechanics like pin holders, test tubes, reusable grids, and water-filled structures. Just make sure the stem ends stay in contact with water and that you support any strong curves so they do not kink.

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