Re: [SG] Colocasia
According to Tony Avent, many colocasias, including 'Black Magic' are hardy
to Zone 7 and with a good winter mulch can take temperatures well below
freezing. I do know that for the past four winters, 'Elephant Ears' have
wintered over outdoors in my Z7a garden here in central Virginia. I
suspect that the bulbs must be planted deeply enough so that the soil does
not freeze around them, but the ground has not frozen below an inch or so
here for all those years. The beds are heavily mulched with leaves in
winter. This winter I will try leaving a black-leaved Colocasia in the
ground. It is growing in a low spot in the border, in heavy clay, and
doing quite well despite the drought.
I get the impression that these are not delicate plants--they seem to be
able to take a variety of conditions and do well. But the best specimens
of black Colocasias I have seen were growing in shallow water in full
sun--easily shoulder-high with huge leaves.
Bill Shear
Department of Biology
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney VA 23943
(804)223-6172
FAX (804)223-6374
email<bills@hsc.edu>
