VANDERMEER

PLANT LIBRARY

Find the perfect plant for your space by browsing through this extensive selection that we typically carry every year.

This library is for information purposes only.

 
annual

Illustris Elephant Ear

Colocasia esculenta 'Illustris'

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Illustris Elephant Ear (Colocasia esculenta 'Illustris') at Vandermeer Nursery

Illustris Elephant Ear

Illustris Elephant Ear

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Illustris Elephant Ear (Colocasia esculenta 'Illustris') at Vandermeer Nursery

Illustris Elephant Ear foliage

Illustris Elephant Ear foliage

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Height:  5 feet

Spread:  4 feet

Sunlight:  full sun  partial shade 

Hardiness Zone:  (annual)

Other Names:  Cocoyam, Dasheen, Taro

Description:

Huge, stunning, black-purple leaves, contrasting apple-green veins and stems; a tremendous garden or pondside accent; in colder climates it can be removed before first frost and stored in a cool dry place or used as a houseplant

Ornamental Features

Illustris Elephant Ear is primarily valued in the landscape or garden for its cascading habit of growth. Its attractive enormous heart-shaped leaves remain black in colour with distinctive olive green veins and tinges of deep purple throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

Illustris Elephant Ear is an open herbaceous annual with a shapely form and gracefully arching foliage. Its wonderfully bold, coarse texture can be very effective in a balanced garden composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should be cut back in late fall in preparation for winter. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Illustris Elephant Ear is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Accent
  • Mass Planting
  • General Garden Use
  • Water Gardens
  • Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Illustris Elephant Ear will grow to be about 5 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 4 feet. Although it's not a true annual, this fast-growing plant can be expected to behave as an annual in our climate if left outdoors over the winter, usually needing replacement the following year. As such, gardeners should take into consideration that it will perform differently than it would in its native habitat.

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It is quite adaptable, prefering to grow in average to wet conditions, and will even tolerate some standing water. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Illustris Elephant Ear is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. Because of its height, it is often used as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Accent  Massing  Garden  Container  Water 
Applications
Foliage Color  Texture  Plant Form 
Ornamental Features

** Plants listed may not be in stock at all times. **

Please contact us directly for current stock availability.
 
Our inventory varies seasonally and we cannot guarantee that every plant will be in stock at all times. To confirm if we have the plant that you're looking for, please call (905) 427-2525 or e-mail  us at info@vandermeernursery.com.
 
Remember, this library does not include our entire selection. Visit us year-round to check out varieties that may not be listed here!