For those of us who can’t make it to the tropics this year, these new tropical plants for your Indianapolis landscape will create the mood.
Tie-dyed Poison Dart Frog Caladium
If you love caladiums and are bored with White Christmas, Cardinal or other everyday varieties, you are in for a treat. This introduction from Brian’s Botanicals in Louisville, Kentucky, has glossy leaves with splotches of red and flecks of white or pink. The colors of this caladium definitely reminds us of the poison dart frog, however, it’s not the least bit deadly.
About 1 foot tall and 2 feet wide, Poison Dart Frog would be a good contrast mixed with sun or shade loving plants, especially leafy ones like hostas. It also will do well in a container. Consider placing the pot among plants in the landscape as a specimen or focal point.
Tye-Dyed Poison Dart Frog definitely resembles its namesake, but lack the toxic habit in the Indiana landscape. Photo courtesy PlantsNouveau.com
Pharoah’s Mask Colocasia
Another unique plant developed by Brian’s Botanicals, Pharoah’s Mask elicits gasps from tropical plant lovers everywhere. Showy purple veins and stems, shiny chartreuse leaves with curved edges make Pharoah’s Mask a stunner. It almost looks like a 3D masquerade mask.
This colocasia gets about 4 feet tall while forming a tight clump. Imagine it planted in a pot as a focal point in a sunny to partly sunny spot in the landscape. Or create a mass planting that’s guaranteed to be a showstopper in the Indianapolis landscape.
Pharoah’s Mask colocasia makes a stunning show in the Indiana landscape. Photo courtesy PlantsNouveau.com
Waikiki Colocasia
What better way to enjoy the tropics than with an award-winning plant from the Royal Hawaiian colocasia collection? Waikiki was named a 2023 All-America Selections winner, the first colocasia to receive the honor. Colocasia is sometimes called elephant ears.
Waikiki has glossy leaves with creamy white markings with pink centers. It will get about 3 feet tall. Plant in a container or in the ground in the Indianapolis landscape in a sunny or partly sunny spot. In a pot, underplant with a complementary color petunia. Waikiki may be hard to find this year because it is new, but some retailers may have it. Also check online bulb merchants.
Waikiki is the first colocasia to be named an All-America Selections. Perfect for a pot or in the ground in the Indiana landscape. Photo courtesy All-AmericaSelections.org
How to grow in your Indianapolis landscape
Plant according to directions that came with the corms (sometimes called bulbs) of caladium and colocasia. Water during dry spells. Cut off dead leaves to keep the plant tidy. None of these is winter hardy. They can be dug, dried and stored for winter in indiviudal paper bags in a cool dry place.
For assistance with your landscape, please contact one of Holeman’s pros.