caladium, angel wings, elephant ears

Caladium’s heart-shaped or lance-like leaves come in a multitude of colors, patterns, contrasting veins, with freckles and mottling. Their beautiful leaves make them an excellent “thriller” for shady container gardens, planted under trees, and in the front of a shady mixed border.

Grow in part shade to shady areas, well-drained, moist, rich soil. Feed with a slow release fertilizer, Osmocote® or Plant-tone®. Follow label instructions. After leaves die in the fall, dig and dry, store tubers in a frost free, dark place such as a basement in a box with dry peat moss. Pot up tubers indoors approximately 4 weeks before the last spring frost. Mulch 2″ to suppress weeds, retain moisture and protect against extremes of soil temperature.