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Colocasia (Taro, Elephant Ear)
The elephant ears that we offer differ from the more common green box-store type. We offer many new and hard-to-find selections with colorful leaves as well as colorful stems. We are particularly excited to offer the new Hawaiian series of elephant ears that were bred for ornamental value from Hawaiian breeder John Cho.
Colocasia are very heavy feeders, so if your plant isn’t growing enough, you either need more heat or more nitrogen. All of the colocasias that we offer are hardy here in Zone 7b. Although suitable for soggy conditions, the cold-hardiness of colocasia is increased in soil that is not soggy during the winter. Where they remain in the ground over winter, they will be quite late to reemerge in late spring or early summer, unless they are covered with 3-6" of mulch in early fall. North of Zone 8, it is essential that they not be planted after late August to ensure best winter hardiness. In parts of the country, a few of the newer cultivars of elephant ears do not form large tubers, and if dug in winter, cannot be stored dry due to a lack of adequate food reserves. These are best overwintered in containers in a cool basement or garage that remains above freezing. They also will not take a notion to grow until the summer temperatures escalate. |
Colocasia esculenta 'Maui Magic' PPAF (Maui Magic Elephant Ear)
Sun Zone: 7b-10, at least 48" tall Origin: Hybrid
NEW!
(aka: Colocasia 2005-32) This 2008 John Cho release makes a 4' tall clump of dark black-purple stems, topped with 2' long leaves that emerge purplish-black and then change to a semi-gloss dark olive-green, highlighted by purple veins, which are even more prevalent on the leaf backs. This is a very robust grower without any sign of runners. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08064
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Colocasia esculenta 'Nancy's Revenge' (Nancy's Revenge Elephant Ear)
Sun to Part SunZone: 8a-10 72" tall Origin: Asia
Colocasia 'Nancy's Revenge' was introduced at the 2000 International Aroid Society meeting in Florida, where it was the most drooled-upon plant. Emerging solid green like typical C. esculenta, the 25" wide, light-green leaves begin turning buttercream-yellow along the center at the onset of hot weather. The color then pours down into the main vein creating a huge bold Y-pattern in the center of the leaf. Color then bursts into the lateral (side) veins and begins its march to the margins. Coloring starts in spring, shortly after the first leaves mature for us. C. 'Nancy's Revenge' sends out lots of side stolons that will root into the soil where moisture is adequate. As with all elephant ears...mo' moisture...mo' bigger. C. 'Nancy's Revenge' was discovered in the Caribbean and imported by Jerry Kranz, who later named the plant for his business partner, Nancy McDaniels of FL.
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04593
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Colocasia esculenta 'Pineapple Princess' PPAF (Pineapple Princess Elephant Ear)
SunZone: 7b-10 36" tall Origin: Hybrid
NEW!
(aka: Colocasia 2004-39) This 2008 John Cho hybrid makes a low 3' tall x 5' wide non-stoloniferous clump, composed of 18" long dusty grey-lavender leaves, each highlighted by dramatic purple veins. The back of the leaves are equally as dramatic with the dark purple veins showing off against the grey-purple back. This has proven to be a vigorous grower in our trials, that also flowers well in late summer and fall with spiky yellow flowers, which are fruity smelling as they begin to open...magnificent! As with all elephant ears, rich moist soil will produce the best specimens. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08039
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Colocasia esculenta 'Rhubarb' (Rhubarb Elephant Ear)
SunZone: 7b-10 48" tall Origin: Asia
This new elephant ear is a real WOW plant. Colocasia 'Rhubarb' was "discovered" by Burl Mostul on a trip to HI, where he found a clump growing in a suburban garden and realized its potential. The 4' tall stems that hold the large green leaves are brilliant red. We're not talking about a little anthocyanin pigment that you have to strain to see, but we are talking real WOW red from 100' away. Be the first in your neighborhood to dazzle your friends. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05188
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Colocasia esculenta 'Ruffles' (Ruffles Elephant Ear)
SunZone: 7-10 72" tall Origin: Asia
Web-Only!
(syn: C. "Ruffle Leaf") This spectacular form of the hardy elephant ear comes to us from a garden in Anniston, AL, where it was "discovered" by SEPS member Hayes Jackson. We can attest that this clumper has both phenomenal vigor as well as hardiness. Each 3' long leaf has incredibly scalloped edges that sets it apart from typical C. esculenta. In growth habit, it performs here as a clumper, unlike the more stoloniferous forms. Colocasia 'Ruffles' has also multiplied faster than any elephant ear we have grown, with clumps multiplying from 1 to 100 divisions in 12-24 months. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04320
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Colocasia esculenta 'Tiger Stripe' (Elephant Ear)
SunZone: 7b-10 60" tall Origin: E. Asia
NEW!
This Alan Galloway selection makes a large 5' tall clump of medium green leaves with some chartreuse yellow flecking. The best trait is the stunning stalks, which are heavily streaked with purple and yellow. When the soil is moist, it spreads well via aboveground rhizomes forming a large patch. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07591
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Colocasia esculenta var. antiquorum 'Black Beauty' (Black Beauty Elephant Ear)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 7-10 30" tall Origin: E. Asia
This superb 2006 Agri-Starts introduction is a stunning mutation of the popular C. 'Illustris'. If you can imagine intensifying the black leaf color and removing some of the green veins of C. 'Illustris', you can visualize C. 'Black Beauty'. We have no doubt that a few of these got mixed in our recent orders of C. 'Illustris', so a few of you may already have this. In the ground, C. 'Black Beauty' is also somewhat stoloniferous like C. 'Illustris', making a 4' wide patch in 3-4 years...simply stunning. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07727
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Colocasia esculenta var. antiquorum 'Illustris' (Imperial Taro)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 7-10 30" tall Origin: Asia
Web-Only!
Imperial Taro is one of the most striking plants in our garden after it emerges in early June! This black-leaved elephant ear has dramatic green veins, highlighting the black background...always a conversation piece. Imperial Taro has proven hardy below 0 degrees F in our garden. The plant is slightly stoloniferous in heavy dry clay but abounds freely in wet organic soils...you will love it! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01280
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Colocasia esculenta 'Yellow Splash' (Yellow Splash Elephant Ear)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7b-10 48" tall Origin: Asia
Web-Only!
For those variegated nuts out there...we know you're out there...we are excited to offer the long-awaited Colocasia 'Yellow Splash'. There are several splashed forms entering the US, but this name should only be applied to this cultivar. Each 4' tall clump of large, grey-green leaves is heavily splashed with creamy yellow patterns, differing in each leaf. C. 'Yellow Splash' spreads via rhizomes, so propagation will be easy. Rich organic soils that stay moist in the summer will result in the largest plants. Thanks to plantsman Frank Galloway for sharing this exciting introduction. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05722
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Colocasia fallax (Silver Leaf Elephant Ear)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 7b-10 18" tall Origin: Thailand, Vietnam alternate image
Web-Only!
We acquired this delightful elephant ear from the Galloway brothers, Alan and Frank. Unlike most other elephant ears, this light-shade and moisture-lover forms rounded leaves of velvety, medium green, each highlighted by a wide silver streak down the center vein, with smaller silver veins radiating from the center to the leaf edge. The plants are adorned all summer with small yellow spathe and spadix flowers. The 18" tall plants make 2' wide clumps in 3 years but spread much faster (4' wide patch in 2 years) in very wet soils by means of short, above-ground stolons...quite unique and quite beautiful! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #02600
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Colocasia fallax 'Silver Dollar' (Silver Dollar Dwarf Elephant Ear)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 7b-10, at least 15" tall Origin: China, Vietnam
Web-Only!
This Alan Galloway selection of the shade-loving dwarf C. fallax has proved to be a much more vigorous and attractive selection than any form of this species we have grown. The small, rich green leaves are much more rounded than normal and also highlighted by narrow silver veins and a wide central silver blotch. In late summer, the clumps are adorned with small yellow spathe and spadix flowers. The 15" tall plants make 2' wide clumps in 5 years, but should spread faster in moist soils by means of short, above-ground stolons...quite unique and quite beautiful! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06669
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Colocasia 'Fontanesii' (Black Stem Elephant Ear)
Sun to Light ShadeZone: 7b-10 80" tall Origin: E. Asia
Web-Only!
New crop available 6-5-2008 This is one of the most spectacular plants in our garden. The giant purple-black petioles (stalks) rise to nearly 7'. At the end of each petiole sits a giant, green, heart-shaped leaf (to 3' long) with a shiny black cast. In late summer, the plant is home to wonderful yellow aroid flowers, to 12" long, with a fragrance of papayas...WOW! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01632
SOLD OUT |
Colocasia gigantea (Giant Elephant Ear)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7b-10, at least 72" tall Origin: China
Web-Only!
Thanks to collector extraordinaire Hayes Jackson for sharing this very distinct and hard-to-find elephant ear. Resembling an alocasia, the 6' tall grey petioles (stalks) hold the large, silver-veined, grey-green leaves outright. When the plants mature, the tip of the leaf arches downward and each leaf develops bizarre appendages on the underside...you'll just have to see it for yourself. This clone of C. gigantea makes a fast-multiplying clump but without the long runners of many C. esculenta forms...still plenty to share. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04692
SOLD OUT |
Colocasia gigantea Thailand Giant Strain (Super-Sized Elephant Ear)
Sun to Part SunZone: 8-10 108" tall Origin: Thailand alternate image
New crop available 7-17-2008 Make mine super-sized! This huge strain of the giant elephant ear was grown from wild collected seed (PES 1003B) from Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand, in 2003 by former PDN Research Manager Petra Schmidt. In the wild, the plants reached a massive 9' tall, which is much larger than the clone of C. gigantea that we currently grow. For us, each individual leaf grows in excess of 5' long x 4' wide. Each seedling will differ slightly, but massive plants will be the result. In foliage, the leaves are an attractive glaucous-grey which is typical of this species. From an early age, the plants are adorned with clusters of dramatically large, pleasantly scented, white flowers. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05896
SOLD OUT |
Colocasia heterochroma 'Dark Shadows' (Yunnan Dwarf Elephant Ear)
Light ShadeZone: 7b-9, at least 8" tall Origin: China
This fascinating new colocasia species was discovered at 4000' elevation in Yingjiang, Yunnan Province, China. The plant was subsequently named in 1993 by China's aroid expert, Dr. Li Heng. Colocasia heterochroma has been hardy for us since 2002, forming a small patch to only 8" tall x 18" wide...a far cry from its taller cousins. C. heterochroma spreads very slowly via short underground rhizomes. The 6" long x 4" wide leaves are silvery green with a dramatic black interveinal leaf pattern. If the leaves aren't enough to get you excited, how about the naked, unisexual flowers??? C. heterochroma doesn't emerge for us until June, so chill out!
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06124
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