Most of the elephant ears we now grow in the garden are the clumping forms, since the fast runners simply outgrow their space too quickly, on the way to their goal of world domination. One running cultivar we can’t part with is Colocasia esculenta ‘Lemonade’. While it does spread, it doesn’t do so anything like
Drinking in the Lemonade Read More »
Looking great in the garden today is the miniature elephant ear, Colocasia bicolor ‘La La La’. This is our 2005 collection from 2,200′ elevation in Vietnam’s Son La province. This isn’t a fast grower, which is why it’s taken us 20 years to grow a patch this large. Since seemingly every province in the region
Two of our favorite elephant ears from John Cho’s breeding program in Hawaii are looking great in the garden now. The top is Colocasia ‘Maui Sunrise’, while the bottom is the more compact, Colocasia ‘Waikiki’. View JLBG’s Colocasia specialty collection gallery.
Hawaiian Happiness Read More »
Colocasia ‘Redemption’ is looking rather exceptional in the garden now. We are thrilled to be able to offer Brian Williams’ amazing elephant ear introduction. If you’d like a little pizzaz in your summer garden, this is for you.
Lookin’ for Redemption Read More »
Brian William’s introduction of Colocasia ‘Pharoah’s Mask‘ is looking particularly lovely now in the garden. A sunny, slight to moist site, with plenty of nutrition are the keys to success.
Mask of the Pharoah Read More »
Emerging from their winter rest in mid-June are the miniature elephant ears. These little-known plants make fascinating garden specimens (Zone 7b south), and great container specimens further north. All of these mature at around 1-1.5′ tall, when happy. They are slow spreaders via very short rhizomes. By far, the fastest grower of the bunch is
Here’s an example from JLBG, of how plant colors, textures, and forms can be used to create a garden vignette. The foreground is Tradescantia pallida (purple), Berberis thunbergii ‘Sunjoy Gold Beret’, Colocasia ‘Coal Miner’, Pennisetum orientale ‘Tall Tails’, and Albizia julibrissin ‘Chocolate Fountain’. The frame is backed with Vitex agnus-castus ‘Sensational’.
Playing with Colors, Textures, and Form Read More »
We always look forward to elephant ear evaluation day at JLBG, which was recently completed. Each year, Colocasia breeder, Dr. John Cho flies in from Hawaii to study and select from our field trials of his new hybrids. This year we were joined by Robert Bett, owner of the California-based plant marketing firm, PlantHaven, who
Hear, Hear…lend me an ear Read More »
Every day as we take the short drive home, we’re greeted with this combination of Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Fernspray Gold’ and a new black elephant ear. We encourage people to be more conscious of textures, forms, and colors in the garden, and to notice how plant placement can be used to create such really pleasing moments.
Here’s a recent image of the amazing Colocasia esculenta ‘Maui Sunrise’, still looking great in late October! Moist, rich soils and full sun are the key for your plants to look this spectacular! Winter hardiness is Zone 7b and warmer.
