Friday, September 12, 2014

Colocasia fontanesii is my favorite plant in the garden, this week…

Who doesn't love a colocasia? Those big leaves are welcome in most every garden.

I'm usually pretty successful overwintering them in the basement. They lose most of their leaves by spring, but they're still alive and usually leaf out when the temperatures warm in the garden, late June to early July. This last winter I lost several, perhaps I was too caught up in caring for the plants outdoors (it was a tough winter) and didn't give the colocasia enough water to keep them alive. Whatever the reason earlier this summer I bought this dark stemmed beauty, Colocasia fontanesii, to fill the gap. This is the view when I'm sitting on the patio and glance up towards the shade pavilion...

I've been admiring it for weeks and finally decided it deserved the "fav" spotlight. Taking these photos I was surprised to see that bright chartreuse point behind the shortest leaf.

It's going to bloom! A very rare occurrence for me. It won't be a showy flower but it's still a nice development.

The stats on Colocasia fontanesii:
  • tropical in the Araceae family
  • 4-6 ft tall, and up to 5 ft wide in wet soils, or shallow water (and when planted in the ground where it can over-winter outdoors)
  • leaves can be up to 3 ft across
  • needs dappled shade to part sun
  • stems die back at freezing but should resprout from base if mulched well (down to USDA Zone 8, maybe 7)
Another thing I love about colocasia in general are the great photos you can take when the sun hits their big leaves and magically illuminates them. Pretty dreamy right? Anything you're admiring in your garden this week?

All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

26 comments:

  1. Love it. I'm an unabashed fan of colocasias/alocasias. If I liked in the tropics, I'd live in a sea of them.

    I typically cut off the inflorescences. I read somewhere they set the plant back because they consume so much energy. Not sure if that's true or not...

    BTW, I've been meaning to ask you forever where you got your patio furniture. It's perfect.

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    1. So you've gotten a lot of blooms over the years? I think this is only my second or third.

      Our patio furniture came from IKEA, I love it! I first saw that style the year before we built the patio and prayed they would still have it when it came time to buy. Thankfully they did. That's been several years ago now (2008 I believe) and I haven't seen anything there that I like as well since.

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    2. I thought it came from IKEA. I agree with you, the best line of outdoor furniture they ever had. I wish they'd bring it back. I like what we have well enough, but I don't love it.

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  2. Love the light through the underside. I want to set up a hammock underneath one and zone out with a margarita!

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    1. That would be lovely! Perhaps next to your new pool...

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  3. I'm still so sad about the ones I lost last winter. Your Hover plantings are looking so beautiful!

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    1. Did you buy replacements this year or was it a year without the big tropical leaves? (and thanks for mentioning the Hover plantings, I love them! However I the succulents aren't getting enough light, I'm going to have to rethink that one next year.

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  4. I have never tried growing Colocasia up here.

    Or should I say that I have saved myself the embarrassment of trying to grow them here as my climate is not warm enough.

    BTW I am feeling sorry for myself because I am recovering from a nasty dose of noro virus, so I am a bit down in the dumps.

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    1. Oh Adam that's no good! I am sorry. I am glad you're on the mend. Maybe a little but of online shopping would help with the recovery, a nice plant mail order?

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  5. It looks beautiful and that pot is a perfect complement. I had one at my old house, planted in a mostly shady corner, where it did well for years. I'm not sure how they will do here but I'm going to have to find out. Here's my favorite this week: http://krispgarden.blogspot.com/2014/09/my-favorite-plant-this-week-acer.html

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    1. I do like how the spots on the pot compliment the dark stems, thank you!

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  6. Colocasias age gorgeous and I'm always blown away by how huge some of them get in really hot and humid summer areas. Didn't grow any this year but didn't know that they would winter over in the basement so well (most years.) Did you have them under lights or just let them go dormant in the dark?

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    1. They are at the outer fringes of the lighted area. Alan has a lot of success with his in the garage, in the dark. You should check out his blog for a lot of tips.

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  7. Yes, so very photogenic! Mine would keep going all winter, but then I neglected to water...

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    1. Yes they do like the water. Mine lets me know by going all droopy. Thankfully it perks back up again quickly when I remember.

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  8. The last picture is beautiful. It´s blooming!!! yey!!
    I love Colocasias...I think this one looks great under your shade pavilion. It kind of looks a little bit like plastic.

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    1. Yes indeed! The leaves do look plastic don't they?

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  9. A beauty it is, now I miss having a colocasia in the garden this year...

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  10. Oh, those colours! This is truly beautiful. And how lucky it's going to bloom. The last photo is unbelievable.
    I'm admiring this one: http://crmbsgrdn.blogspot.com.au/2014/09/my-favourite-plant-in-garden-this-week_13.html

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    1. I could have filled this post with a dozen more photos like the last one, but I tried to show some control.

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    2. Something I lack. I say go for it ;)

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  11. Great choice to spotlight for the week. I'm really admiring the contrast between the deep purple stems and lighter leaves. Very pretty!

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