Profile
For years Brian Williams would dig his collection of elephant ears every fall and replant in spring. The severe winters and frozen soil of his Louisville, Kentucky, garden meant certain death to a tropical tuber, so he was surprised to find a few that would survive and sprout in spring. He began breeding with those, selecting for more vivid colors and a variety of sizes, all of which could survive a zone 6 winter. Then he selected well behaved plants that did not produce runners. Now he shares his garden hardy selections as Keep ‘em Coming Colocasias ™
Brian’s Planting Tips
Keep ‘em Coming Colocasias ™ have proven themselves reliably
perennial through years in Brian Williams’ zone 6 garden.
However, his planting techniques enhance their performance
on the edge of their hardiness range.
• Select the hottest, sunniest part of the garden.
This area will be the first to warm in the spring.
• Plant so that the top of the tuber is 2 to 4 inches deep.
Even if a container grown plant has the tuber exposed,
go ahead and plant deeply.
• For best results, plant in loose, well-drained, organic soil.
Water every 2 to 3 days, and fertilize every 2 to 3 weeks.