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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 'Blackwater' (Blackwater Elephant Ear)
Sun Zone: 7b-10, possibly colder 72" tall Origin: Tropical Asia
Several years ago, we received a shipment of Colocasia from India of which most were inferior to plants we already grew. After several years of trials, one plant stood out that we are now able to share. Colocasia 'Blackwater' is similar to C. 'Fontanesii' with glossy, jet black stems rising to 6' tall. The stems are topped with glossy, dark olive-green leaves that are much darker and narrower, with a longer leaf tip than C. 'Fontanesii'. It spreads rapidly via black snake-like rhizomes that lay on top of the ground. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07511
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Colocasia 'Coffee Cups' (Coffee Cups Elephant Ear)
SunZone: 7b-10 72" tall Origin: Asia alternate image
Colocasia 'Coffee Cups' was discovered in the wild by Indonesian botanist Gregory Hambali and brought to the US by aroid expert Alan Galloway. Colocasia 'Coffee Cups' makes a stunning 6' tall clump of Colocasia 'Fontanesii'-like leaves (glossy olive green) with a dark purple-black stem. The unique feature is the dramatic leaf cupping, even more dramatic than C. 'Big Dipper'. As the leaf fills with water, the stem gives enough for the leaf to dump out its catch before refilling...fascinating. Obviously, it performs best in freshly ground soil. C. 'Coffee Cups' sends out aboveground runners...but only in the fall. Most of the plants previously sold in the US under this name are actually C. 'Big Dipper'. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06668
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Colocasia esculenta 'Big Dipper' (Big Dipper Elephant Ear)
SunZone: 7b-10 72" tall Origin: Asia
This unusual elephant ear appears to be a mutation from C. esculenta 'Burgundy Stem'. The 6' tall purple-black stems are topped with grey-green matte finish leaves that are initially held horizontal before they mature to a more vertical angle. The unique effect is that the leaves can actually hold quite a bit of water. When the leaves have too much water, they dump the excess and then return to horizontal to catch more...fascinating! This is a very vigorous cultivar producing lots of black snake-like runners atop the ground...great for propagating and loads of fun when friends get drunk. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06706
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Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic' (Black Leaf Elephant Ear)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7b-10 60" tall Origin: Asia
From California's Walter Pagels comes this elephant ear that could only be described as AWESOME!!!! This is a four exclamation point plant if there ever was one. The dusty, solid purple-black leaves to 2' long make this elephant ear one of the most spectacular forms ever introduced...especially great for designers who love purples and blacks! It makes a giant clump to 5-6' tall with a similar spread. Our plant has survived 0 degrees F with no problem and no mulch! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01818
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Colocasia esculenta 'Black Marble' (Black Marble Elephant Ear)
SunZone: 7b-10 60" tall Origin: Hybrid
(aka: C. 'Multiflora) This Agri-Starts introduction is a sport of the old favorite C. esculenta 'Burgundy Stem'. Each dark grey-green leaf is highlighted by random purple-black sectors and flecks. Despite the instability of the pattern, the patterning does persist throughout the entire plant. Due to this instability, C. 'Black Marble' has a high cull rate in production and will never be produced commercially in huge numbers. Enjoy them while they last. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05487
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Colocasia esculenta 'Black Runner' (Black Runner Elephant Ear)
SunZone: 7b-10 72" tall Origin: Asia
Move over 'Black Magic'...another member of the family has arrived. Colocasia 'Black Runner' is a first cousin and probably a mutation of the popular Colocasia 'Black Magic'. C. 'Black Runner' makes a stunning 6' tall clump with 2' long leaves that emerge more of a black-purple than C. 'Black Magic'. Its leaf edges are also much more ruffled than its cousin. The biggest difference, however, is the black, snake-like runners that creep along the ground, pegging into moist soil every few inches and sending up another plant. This is a superb new introduction that will soon find its way into gardens around the world. As with most elephant ears, moist soil and high nutrition are the keys to great specimens.
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04867
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Colocasia esculenta 'Blue Hawaii' PPAF (Blue Hawaii Elephant Ear)
SunZone: 7b-10, guessing 30" tall Origin: Hybrid
(aka: Colocasia 2005-24) There's nothing blue about this 2008 John Cho hybrid, except you if you don't get one before they sell out. The medium-green 12" long leaves are highlighted by the most dramatic purple veins that we've ever seen on an elephant ear. On the leaf back, the veins are equally dramatic, only cranberry instead of purple. This small elephant ear tops out for us at only 30" tall...perfect for a smaller location. Remember that rich moist soil grows the best elephant ears. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08042
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Colocasia esculenta 'Coal Miner' (Coal Miner Elephant Ear)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7-10, at least 54" tall Origin: China, India
Several years ago, we received plants from India as Colocasia antiquorum. One exceptional clone was later christened Colocasia 'Coal Miner'. In appearance, C. 'Coal Miner' looks like a larger version of C. 'Illustris' except for emerging 2 months earlier (late March in NC), and not spreading underground as vigorously as C. 'Illustris'. The black leaf pattern is similar to C. 'Illustris', but the background leaf color is quite different (dark olive vs. medium green), and the emerging new leaves have a stunning velvet patina. For us, C. 'Coal Miner' tops out at 54" tall, while C. 'Illustris' only reaches 40" for us. I think you will agree that C. 'Coal Miner' is worth excavating a new hole. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06901
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Colocasia esculenta 'Diamond Head' PPAF (Diamond Head Elephant Ear)
SunZone: 7b-10 48" tall Origin: Hybrid
(aka: Colocasia 2005-17) Colocasia 'Diamond Head' is another 2008 release from John Cho's breeding program that takes elephant ears to a whole new level. With this introduction, John has been able to combine the color of C. 'Black Magic' with the glossy leaf surface that is usually seen only in alocasias. The 15" long glossy, chocolate-black, lightly ruffled-edge leaves compose a well-behaved 4' tall clump. Remember that rich, moist soils grow the best elephant ears. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07245
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Colocasia esculenta 'Elena' PPAF (Elena Elephant Ear)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7b-10, at least 36" tall Origin: Hybrid
Finally, we have a hardy replacement for the tropical Xanthosoma 'Lime Zinger'. This chartreuse-leaf elephant ear was found as a sport of Colocasia 'Chicago Harlequin' at Alan Shapiro's Grandiflora Nursery by Randy Strode of Agri-Starts, and subsequently named after Alan's wife, Ellen. Our clumps, which top out at 3' tall, are composed of creamy white stalks that turn purple where they join the leaf. The stalks are topped with 20" chartreuse leaves with purple veins where the stalk attaches...perfect for some cool color combinations. C. 'Elena' will spread by aboveground rhizomes when planted in moist sites. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07783
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Colocasia esculenta 'Elepaio' (Elepaio Elephant Ear)
Sun to Part SunZone: 8a-10, possibly colder 36" tall Origin: Asia
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Named after the rare Hawaiian flycatcher bird, this very rare, small-growing elephant ear is one of the classic old Hawaiian cultivars. C. 'Elepaio' makes a small, 3' tall clump of green foliage that is heavily spotted with white paint-like flecks. This unstable chimeral variegation pattern often results in some leaves that are half green and half white. This is a true curiosity and what we call a "fun" plant for the garden. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05370
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Colocasia esculenta 'Hawaiian Eye' PPAF (Hawaiian Eye Elephant Ear)
SunZone: 7b-10 48" tall Origin: Hybrid
(aka: Colocasia 2005-23) This 2008 John Cho introduction makes a 4' tall non-running clump, composed of large 18" long grey-green leaves, each highlighted by a dark central eye of purple radiating out into the leaf. Each leaf is further highlighted by a narrow purple border and a great backside as the veins on the reverse appear to be bright cranberry. The glossy jet black stem is a stunning contrast to both the leaves and the bright yellow flowers in late summer. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08041
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Colocasia esculenta 'Hilo Bay' PPAF (Hilo Bay Elephant Ear)
SunZone: 7b-10 48" tall Origin: Hybrid
(aka: Colocasia 2005-05) Colocasia 'Hilo Bay' is a 2008 introduction from the breeding program of Hawaii's John Cho. C. 'Hilo Bay' makes a unique 4' tall specimen with thick, dark chocolate stems, each ending with a 20" olive green leaf. Each thick textured and heavily corrugated leaf with upturned edges is reminiscent of the volcanic rock at Hilo Bay...very unique. This selection spreads slightly, but nothing like the old more aggressive cultivars. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08040
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Colocasia esculenta 'Jack's Giant' (Jack's Giant Elephant Ear)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7-10, at least 84" tall Origin: E. Asia, India
I hope you've got your beanstalk planted 'cause 'Jack's Giant' is here. We received our original plant from Jack de Vroomen of Marlboro Bulb Company, who brought this to us from Costa Rica. The tuber was much larger and shaped differently from other C. esculenta forms that we had grown. In our garden, the plants easily reached 7' tall, even in a very dry section, with medium green leaves similar to typical C. esculenta. We are pretty sure that it is a triploid form, which should increase winter hardiness. Remember that rich, organic soils that are moist during the growing season result in the best growth. Despite the lack of calories, we hope you'll enjoy supersizing your garden! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07400
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Colocasia esculenta 'Lime Aide' (Lime Aide Elephant Ear)
Sun to Part SunZone: 8-10, at least 48" tall Origin: Tropical Asia
This new Alan Galloway introduction has been diagnosed to be borderline schizophrenic...some leaves are dark green with chartreuse yellow flecks, while others have large sectors of yellow in between the green. The leaves are in addition to the cool leaf petioles which are heavily striped green and yellow. Alan discovered this gem while ditch-hopping in the Philippines...another reason for expanding this botanical pastime. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07555
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| <Cimicifuga - Clinopodium] | [Colocasia II> |
