With options for sun and shade, these tropical dynamos offer just the right kind of drama
A little excitation may be the very thing that your garden is missing . Whether beautifying northern or southern landscape , installing tropical greenhouse plantings , or creating blockbuster horticultural exposition , I have found one precept that always seems to make true : When a purpose feels beneficial but not dandy and lacks that “ bug out , ” go bold ! One of the best industrial plant to use for achieving that effect is elephant ’s ear .
See more :
How to Overwinter Elephant ’s Ears
The Best Tropical Plants Collection
The Best Colocasias to Add Tropical Flair to Your Summer Garden
It does n’t weigh whether you ’re looking for a typical windowsill jewel or a breathless garden behemoth ; there ’s an elephant ’s ear for every situation . Many have heard this common name and readily recognise the blatant , often elephantine foliage that prompts the nickname , but it is often less clean-cut how these plant life should be grown and enjoyed , because plant in this group do not all tolerate the same grow condition .
Within this divers variety you will discover an incredible range of plant , many of which are quite adaptable . I have had winner grow some in situations that admittedly pushed the suggested bound . That pronounce , the gardener ’s mantra is to select “ the veracious plant life for the right billet . ” We all want to take plants that will give us the good chance at success , and over the year I have identified a collection of favorite elephant ’s ears that do well under various conditions , indoors and out . Most are owing in terminal figure of wallop and ocular involvement , and all are readily available at nurseries without the need to take out a second mortgage . ravisher , affordability , and proven performance make the undermentioned elephant ’s capitulum exceptional choice for your home and garden .
A tiny stunner, ‘Bambino’ is perfect for a desktop or the front of a border
Name : Alocasia × amazonica ‘ Bambino ’
Zones:10–12 Size : 1 to 2 infantry tall and wide of the mark
Conditions : fond shade ; moist soil
aboriginal scope : cross
If you ’re searching for a compact variety , cultivars of Alocasia × amazonica , also known as Amazon elephant ’s ear , are established winners . These survival of the fittest are crossbreeding between two modest species from the hot , moist woods of the Philippines and Borneo ( ironically , nowhere near the Amazon ) and make really all right houseplants . Of the many beautiful cultivar , I have always been partial to ‘ Bambino . ’ carry diminutive , modeled leaves on brusk petioles , this cultivar ’s full-strength drug abuse impart itself to container refinement ( one is perched on my desk right now ) but may also be in effect planted en masse . In a group , the glossy , grim - green , arrowhead - shaped folio and silvery veins meld to form a striking tableau vivant . alfresco , complete the looking at with refinement - tolerant sedges ( Carex spp . and cvs . , Zones 3–10 ) and open , airy spray of blossom to wreak against the dark , striking foliage . In bright , indirect brightness or mottled tincture , and when provided even moisture and decent humidity , ‘ Bambino ’ will reach a manageable size of just a few feet tall .
The dark and shiny leafage of jewel alocasia seems to beam in crushed visible light
Name : Alocasia cupreaand cvs .
Zones:9–11
Size:1 to 2 metrical unit marvellous and wide
aboriginal image : Borneo
A true garden gem , the ably named jewel alocasia garner quick tending . This charming Borneo native demo glossy opalescence , a trait that helps heighten photosynthesis in many shade - have it off rainforest growers . Stout oval leaves of metallic mint cradle inscrutable green vein that often exhibit black and maroon tones . The consecutive mintage is a dusky dark green with a purple sheen to its leave-taking ( photo p. 56),but the astounding cultivar ‘ Red Secret ’ ( A. cuprea‘Red Secret , Zones 9–11 ) gasconade otherworldly garnet - and - purple foliage(right ) , and multicolored ‘ Dewey ’s Reversa ’ ( A. cuprea‘Dewey ’s Reversa ’ ) evokes imagination of exotic beetle elytra(inset ) . Jewel alocasias can be grouped in a suspicious bottom to expectant effect , but they are among my all - time favourite houseplant selections and beg to be admired as specimens . Like ‘ Bambino ’ alocasia , jewel alocasias need adequate moisture , humidity , and warmheartedness .
The dramatic shades of ‘ Regal Shields ’ take in exciting combinations
Name : Alocasia‘Regal Shields ’
Size:4 to 6 feet marvelous and wide
Conditions : fond to full shade ; moist ground
The capably discover ‘ Regal Shields ’ alocasia is easy to grow and makes an exceptionally attractive container specimen . Unlike Malayan Monster and ‘ Portora ’ , ‘ RegalShields ’ is somewhat more straggly , and its velvety inscrutable green leave-taking nod outwards , achieve 1 to 2 feet tenacious . Lime unripe nervure and plum tree leaf underside provide additional interest . I have enjoy using this alocasia in undimmed , indirect light to partialshade , aggroup with airy pink and white flowering annual and perennial to create a unagitated sketch . Another option is to embrace its spectacular personality and surroundit with grassy textures as well as orangish , peach , and Au colors , which partner impeccably with its dusky purple and deep immature tones .
‘ Portora ’ stuns with large , ruffled leaves
Name : Alocasia‘Portora ’ syn . A.‘Portadora ’
Zones:7–10
Size:5 to 7 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet panoptic
Conditions : Full sun to fond tad ; damp soil
I have used this cultivar often in gardens and as part of professional horticultural exhibitions , and I consider it “ battle tested . ” ‘ Portora ’ elephant ear is undemanding and loan an apparent tropic smell to any outer space . The individual , spade - form , mess up emerald foliage pass over 4 invertebrate foot in length and 3 feet wide . They point skywards , held aloft by hefty stalk . This plant is adequate to of reaching striking heights under glass or out of doors and will develop a trunk - similar stem with time . Provided moist , rich soil and plenty of fertilizer , ‘ Portora ’ can be maturate successfully in most sluttish exposures , including full sun , although some leaf singe may pass on the hottest summer days . Howeveryou choose to grow ‘ Portora’—as a bluff backgroundplanting , an centre - catching anchorperson in a border , or in a bombastic plantation owner — it never fail to garner attention .
With deep lobate and wavy leafage , Malayan Monsteris genuinely unique
Name : Alocasia portei
Size:4 to 12 feet tall and wide
aboriginal range : Tropical Asia , the Philippines , Thailand
Another head - turner , A. porteiis unique among elephant ’s ear in that it feature such intensely ruffled and deeply lobed leave it is sometimes mistaken for a large philodendron ( Philodendronspp . and cvs . , Zones 10–12 ) . While Malayan Monster ( as it is commonly know ) is texturally dissimilar to many other elephant ’s ears , its character and shock are undisputed . Rich , moist grime and regular fertilisation will rapidly further this beauty to reach heights of up to 12 feet marvelous in the priming coat or a large container , with 3- to 4 - pes - long parting . But reverence not — the size of this particular monster can be circumscribe by container mass . A small container will hold its growth . you’re able to also simply reincarnate the planting via the section of branch when it becomes too big for your place . Malaysian Monster is a marvelous addition to a fond - shade seam , border , or container , provide major textural interest as taller unfolding plant pop against its dark dark-green leaves .
Purple - black food color stage set ‘ Diamond Head ’ out from the crowd
Name : Colocasia esculenta*‘Diamond Head ’
Size:3 to 4 foot marvelous and broad
Native range : Tropical southeastern Asiaand India
‘ Diamond Head ’ colocasia is all about intrigue . This taro is primarily grown for its mysterious and dark iridescent foliage . The 12- to 18 - inch - long and 24 - inch - across-the-board folio arch neatly outward on succulent , arch base . If the mysterious , midnight - colored foliage is n’t enough , this elephant ’s pinna is rugged and intrepid , thriving out of doors in warmer zone . Like a fine player , ‘ Diamond Head ’ hold its own while enhancing any supporting characters . I sleep with pairing it with ‘ Colchester White ’ dusty miller ( Centaurea cineraria‘Colchester White ’ , zone 8–12 ) . Thosesoft silver tone of voice play wonderfully against therich , chocolatey regal leaves and petioles . Like most colocasias , ‘ Diamond Head ’ may be utilizedin water gardens or boggy areas , either in theground or in a partially submerse plantation owner . Be sureto use a big enough pot to ensure stability , oradd weight to the bottom of the container to keep the plant life from tumble over during storms . I have often included ‘ Diamond Head ’ in water featuresto add stature and trend . Watch for heavyrains or dreaded early season hail , which can cause physical equipment casualty to the sparse leaf structure of this works and other colocasias .
The heart - shaped leave of‘Hawaiian Punch ’ contrast with deep red red stems
Name : Colocasia esculenta‘Hawaiian Punch ’
Zones:8–10
Size:2½to 3 feet grandiloquent and wide
Conditions : Full sun to fond shade;moist stain
aboriginal range : Tropical southeasternAsia and India
If you seek stimulating color in a smaller bundle , ‘ Hawaiian Punch ’ is a great selection . As the cultivar name imply , the petiole and vein of the 1- to 2½-foot - long leaves are a juicy rhubarb Red River and wo n’t be overlooked in a garden bed or as partof a miscellaneous container planting . This selection will do well in full sun to partial shade with plenty of moisture and is a great candidate for being part drown in water or planted on the margin of a pond . It is a pyrotechnic on its own , although the sheer petiole colour invite adventurous conjugation with live - toned plant . aggregate it with interesting bromeliads and be delight to the tropic , or pair it with chenille plant ( Acalypha hispida , Zones 10–11 ) as an effortlessly symmetrical underplanting . supervise this and other colocasias , as they are prone to host wanderer touch , especially under glass and out of doors during hot , dry summers .
Blue taro stuns with cryptic , morose highlights
Name : Xanthosoma violaceum
Zones:8–11
Native range : Southern Mexico , tropical Central and South America
The dark eggplant stem and veins of this plant are a colorful pharos in garden designs . For those seeking to beat and be amazed , have it away that this stunner can reach 6 to 8 feet magniloquent in Zones 9 and above . Blue dasheen ( as it ’s commonly known ) expect large amount of pee , fertilizer , and space to stretch , though northerly gardeners should expect a more reasonable size of it of 4 to 5 feet of growth in one time of year . Get the most from this excerption by establish it in fond subtlety in rich , damp soil or in a container big enough to keep the flora stable and vertical in the jazz . I adore how it wait when surrounded by simple green ferns or other finely textured plants that allow the gorgeous stems and folio undersides to be fully appreciate .
For stunning diversification , turn to‘Mickey Mouse ’
Name : Xanthosoma sagittifolium*‘Mickey Mouse ’
Size:5 to 6 feet grandiloquent and wide
Lovers of the peculiar are inevitably drawn to the blanched , pick , and green - splashed leaves of ‘ Mickey Mouse ’ xanthosoma . This foliage march an amusing variation — the leaf tip narrow and curl dramatically into dangle “ mouse tails . ” However , this marked tail sometimes come out only on some leaf and not on others . Thestrongly variegated leafage is susceptible to singe , so this elephant ’s ear is well grown in mottled tad , where it will benefit from the same moist territory and warmth that other tannias enjoy . ‘ Mickey Mouse ’ has the potential to contact 6 foot tall at maturity with leaves up to 2 feet longsighted , but in my experience it is not as vigorous a grower as other elephant ’s auricle and will take clip to reach its full potential drop . no matter , this plantand its variation are always interesting . It makes a potted oddity or strange conversation bit in a shady garden ecological niche .
| source |
The next mail - society source may offer some of the plantsfeatured in this clause :
Ed ’s Plant Shop , Brooklyn , NY ; 718 - 407 - 4269 edsplantshop.com
Florida Hill Nursery , DeBary , FL ; 386 - 873 - 8064 floridahillnursery.com
Hirt ’s Gardens , Wadsworth , OH ; 330 - 239 - 0506 hirts.com
Wellspring Gardens , Lakewood , FL ; wellspringgardens.com
Christian Primeau has spent over 20 year working in botanic gardens , including managing tropical assemblage for the New York Botanical Garden . He now works as an independent horticultural consultant , garden room decorator , and photographer .
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