A wealth of collector's plants here, Aroids have become some of the most popular perennial plants in the garden. Extremes in size, shape and texture range from the impressive elephant ears (Alocasia, Colocasia) to the diminutive Mouse Plant (Arisarum).
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Also here, are the bizarre voodoo lilies whose anatomically incorrect flowers appear out of nowhere a month before their leaves in the spring. Some are bizzare flowering perennials but many are prized just for their foliage.
Since 1988, Plant Delights Nursery has been the choice of serious gardeners and plant collectors looking for the best and rarest perennial plants. We are pleased to have received the Perennial Plant Association Retail Award in 2011, the American Horticulture Society Commercial Award in 2002, and to have been selected as one of the Best Mail Order Plant Sources - Garden Design Magazine 2010. Welcome to our family of plant lovers!
(syn: Alocasia macrorrhiza) This very cool elephant ear is quite different from the typical Colocasia esculenta. The thick sculpted, glossy green leaves are held upright on dramatically rigid stems. A clump of giant upright elephant ears is guaranteed to stop visitors in their tracks...especially if they walk into it! Alocasia macrorrhizos has been quite hardy in the Raleigh area, surviving 0 degrees F, but prefers it a bit warmer. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
In 2005, we were botanizing north of Hanoi and after finding our road washed out, we retreated through a series of uninteresting back roads until sighting this bizarre form of the common Alocasia macrorrhizos in the front yard of a small home. The owner gladly shared a piece that we subsequently named Alocasia 'Shock Treatment'. This mutation of Alocasia macrorrhizos is a 3' tall clumper with glossy green, bizarrely twisted and crinkled leaves resembling a larger version of Alocasia cucullata 'Crinkles'. So far, this has proven as winter-hardy as regular Alocasia macrorrhizos. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(syn: Alocasia x portora 'Portodora') This superb alocasia hybrid was selected by Ron Weeks from seedlings of a cross made by LariAnn Garner of Aroidia Research. This hybrid of Alocasia odora x Alocasia portei makes a stunning upright clump that is essentially an improved Alocasia macrorrhizos. Each giant, green, heavily-scalloped leaf is held sturdily upright atop a thick muscular purple stalk. This is truly an architectural specimen plant for any garden. As with all elephant ears, a moist, rich organic soil is best. A good thick winter mulch helps prevent rot in cold, wet soils. Pot Size: 2 qt. (1.892 L)
Although this hardy and easy-to-grow elephant ear was first described in 1916, the true species is just now becoming known in horticultural circles. From the remote mountains of New Guinea, Alocasia wentii is one of the very few alocasias we have found to be winter-hardy in our Zone 7b climate. The glossy bronze-green leaves reach 1' in length as they adorn this tightly clumping elephant ear. As the breeze blows, you will enjoy the contrasting metallic-purple leaf backs. Plant the corms at least 6" deep in soils that remain dry in the winter months. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(aka: Amorphophallus odoratus) Similar to Amorphophallus yunnanensis, Amorphophallus dunnii boasts a peculiar flower stalk that reaches 2' tall, topped with an 8-10" ice cream cone-like flower. The vase (spathe) looks like a green and white speckled cone with a "zipped-open" front...for better exposure. The creamy white, bulbous sexual appendage (spadix) sits like a...well, you know...a sexual appendage inside the spathe. According to amorphophallus guru Wilbert Hetterscheid, the flower smells of fresh carrots, but then who could trust Wilbert's nose after smelling so many amorphophallus? The 2' tall speckled stalk is topped in summer with typical amorphophallus foliage. This fast-offsetting species is an easy one for beginners. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
From Taiwan comes this amazingly hardy dwarf voodoo lily. In flower, expect a spathe that resembles one of those '60s vinyl lawn chairs with ruffled edges, while emerging from the center is a spadix that...well, even Bob Dole could be proud of. The spadix emerges looking like a giant purple carrot that later develops a bad case of acne before it goes limp. After flowering, and if it had really good sex, you'll soon enjoy seeing the 1' tall spike of dark blue berries. Once the tuber has rested from the flowering episode, expect a 2' tall, speckled green petiole with white blotches to arise, topped by a giant divided leaf. This is one of the most prolific offsetting species we grow, so there'll be plenty to share with your equally demented neighbors. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This voodoo lily hails from the Cuc Phuong region of North Vietnam, just south of Hanoi. The glossy green foliage is held atop 30" light green petioles. The inflorescence, which sits atop a 1' tall stalk, is composed of a thick creamy-white spadix with a unique spiral staircase-like pollen column below the tip. All of this is held in a small, green, cup-like spathe...truly a mouth-see-tongue moment. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(formerly Amorphophallus rivieri v. konjac, Hydrosme rivieri) This unusual tuberous plant has one giant divided leaf on top of a 5-6' tall, green and purple mottled, fleshy stalk (petiole). When old enough, the tuber produces a fascinating 6' flower (early May, before the leaf emerges), resembling a giant vase made from the purple vinyl used for cheap '70s car seats. The vase (spathe) is home to a 3' purple spadix that sits atop a 2' speckled petiole...gather your neighbors for the flowering ritual. After flowering, the plant may rest for a couple of months before the leaf emerges in late June. The mother tuber will form offsets, eventually making a giant clump...STRANGE! We ship quarter-sized or larger tubers that are 3-4 years from flowering size. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
We are pleased to offer this 2004 Alan Galloway discovery which was named as a new species in 2007. Amorphophallus myosuroides was discovered growing on vertical, shaded rock ledges in the Khammouane Province of Laos. The tiny but rapidly offsetting tuber produces a solitary, light green, radial leaf atop each 8" tall stalk. Within a few weeks of the leaf appearing, an 8" tall white mousetail-like (the genus Myosurus means "mousetail") inflorescence appears on a separate 8" tall stalk. Amorphophallus myosuroides re-flowers up to 3 times during the summer. We owe Alan a round of applause for finding this gem. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(aka Amorphophallus ochroleucus AGA-831) This little-known species hails from the Gai Lai province of North Vietnam. This lovely clone, with an 18" tall olive stem highlighted by black-purple spots, is topped with a solitary palm-like leaf. Amorphophallus ochroleucus is unique among related species such as Amorphophallus krausei and Amorphophallus salmoneus in that it flowers in midsummer while the plant is in foliage. The inflorescence is composed of a short flesh-colored spathe stained in purple, cuddling a creamy white spadix...very cute as amorphophallus go. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This is one of the most unique miniature species in the genus Amorphophallus...only discovered in 2004 and then named and described in 2006. The species was discovered in the Khammouane Province of Laos by Alan Galloway and Annop Ongsakul (for whom it was named). The tiny pinhead-sized tuber produces a 3" tall stem topped with a leaf which resembles a cutleaf fern. The equally tiny flower emerges alongside the mature leaves. This is an incredibly cute and very easy-to-grow plant...perfect for a windowsill. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(aka: Amorphophallus pygmaeus AGA-1052F) This seedling is one we pulled out of an Alan Galloway seed collection from Thailand. Instead of the typical nearly black foliage, this one has amazing pewter foliage. So far, Amorphophallus 'Pewter Pan' has remained quite small, and we anticipate a full grown plant will reach only 6" in height...so very cute! When mature, the tuber produces a 15" flowering stalk, topped with a creamy pink spathe and an oversized white spadix. We only have a limited quantity of these, so don't delay. The tuber can be stored dry when dormant. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(aka: Amorphophallus symonianus Home #2) This Mary Sizemore discovery from north central Thailand is named for the late amorphophallus enthusiast, Dr. James Symon. In 2006, we saw it growing in rock crevices around some of the Buddhist temples. It is one of the easier species to grow in containers, forming a 2' tall specimen with an olive-green speckled petiole, topped by a green leaf. The unique feature of Amorphophallus symonianus is that it forms intercalary bulbs in the fall. You'll recognize the blessed event when the leaf swells where it is attached to the petiole like an alien trying to emerge from within. The green spathe is home to an almost human-like, perfectly shaped, white spadix. This clone is vegetatively propagated. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This selection of the Thailand native Amorphophallus tenuispadix was named for its dark purple petiole, flecked with small pink spots. The 15" tall stalk on this fast-offsetting species supports the small, palm-like foliage. In June/July, the inflorescences appear as small, pale pink cups holding an oversized, x-rated, fleshy appendage...great for spicing up the garden party conversation. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This fun, easy-to-grow species from Yunnan, China makes a small plant to 3' tall. The single leaf is held atop a 2-3' tall, smooth, dark green stalk, beautifully mottled with lighter green to flesh-colored blotches. The flower emerges in early spring, albeit nothing like its better-endowed cousins. The 3-6" tall spadix, looking like a pink alien head with a white neck, sits atop a nicely mottled 1-2' tall petiole (stalk). To help hide the bizarre spadix from possible suitors is a green, speckled, hooded spathe. Amorphophallus yunnanensis has an undetectable scent...quite curious in a genus known for its odor. The large tuber offsets freely and these can be easily removed if it is stored dry for the winter. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Superb! We are happy to offer one of the easiest-to-grow and most exciting of the cobra lilies. Emerging in very late spring (May or June) are 15" tall stalks of pink pitchers dramatically striped with translucent, white vertical veins (candidissimum means "dazzling white"). Beside the flower emerge two giant three-lobed leaves, which can reach 2' in width. Arisaema candidissimum offsets freely in a well-drained site. In the wild, it is found growing on sunny, rocky banks. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
We are proud to once again offer the very rare, white-flowered form of the Chinese Arisaema candidissimum, which was thought to be extinct until 1998. Just like the pink form, the stalks emerge in June with large tripartite leaves that form a tropical looking clump. Alongside the foliage emerge 15" tall flowering stalks topped with a single white hood, striped green and white toward the base. Perhaps this accounts for the popularity of this plant in parts of northern Alabama and eastern Texas. This easy-to-grow cobra lily makes a truly stunning sight after it becomes established. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This Himalayan cobra lily is one of the most statuesque of the genus. The green stems emerge in late May or early June in NC and rise to 2-3'. Atop each stem sits one leaf, divided into 7-13 long leaflets. The flower emerges at nearly the same time with a dark purple and white striped pitcher and an extended, threadlike tip. Inside the pitcher, you will find the "preacher" tucked in neatly out of the weather. This is a stoloniferous species that should make a nice clump after a few seasons. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This Chinese cobra lily, discovered by French plant explorer Pere Farges in the early 1900s, has turned out to be one of the easiest to grow and most spectacular arisaema species in our collection. In late spring, the giant glossy green trifoliate leaves (similar to Arisaema candidissimum) emerge from the nicely offsetting tubers. Alongside the leaves emerge the flower stalks, each topped with a large wine-red pitcher with dramatic white striping. The tip of the pitcher ends in a narrow, congested, alien-like mass of red thread. From inside the flower emerges the spadix, resembling a tiny red lizard peeking out of the pitcher...absolutely stunning! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This is one of my favorite cobra lilies. This easy-to-grow species emerges on a thick petiole (stalk) that reaches 3' in late spring. Atop the giant petiole is an unusual green and purple tinged pitcher (spathe) with a 12" long tongue (spadix) that curves out of the flower and stands erect and ready for some action! The horseshoe-shaped leaf, held on the stalk just below the flower, boasts over a dozen leaflets...spectacular! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
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