skip to main content

Tropicalesque Gardens

Winter-hardy elephant ears

8 years ago

I was skeptical of the claim that Colocasia "Pink China" is hardy to zone 6, and didn't expect too much when mulching the modest-sized plant last fall in my z. 6 Ohio garden (I had another, potted specimen going indoors as insurance).

Just now I checked, and behold! two 2-3 inch unmistakable Colocasia shoots have emerged, complementing the nearby Musa basjoo (approaching 8 inches)). It never got that cold here over the winter, but it did get down to 2F or so a couple of times.

Woo-hoo!!!!!

http://www.turn-it-tropical.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/colocasia-pink-china.jpg

Featured Answer

miketropic

7 years ago

There are a few more in the tropicool series that have pink china in the bloodline and are just as hardy, Maderia, Sangria, Bikini Tini..

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

Trish
7 years ago
Good to know. Thanks!
0
Linda's Garden z6 Utah
7 years ago
Nice, I will have to get me one!
0
Related Discussions
Have Elephant Ear Want Cold Hardy Banana
Q
Comments (2)
Hi - I have arundo donax - giant reed grass. Would you be interested in that? Please email, if interested. Thanks - tina_2 Here is a link that might be useful:
...See More
wanted: Hardy Bananas and Running Elephant Ears
Q
Comments (0)
I am making a fence row out of hardy bananas and Elephant ears, so I need a bunch lol. Also looking for EE's that are not hardy. Please check out my list, would love to make a big trade.
...See More
Upright Elephant Ears Hardiness Q.
Q
Comments (5)
Broomhildah, they are "root hardy" here in Birmingham. I always cut them down, fill a large black, plastic flower pot with chopped leaves and cap it upside down over the stumps for protection. Here it always comes back. I remove the pot of leaves around April 1. If frost threatens, I cover it with a flower pot. Next year, when frost time comes, just break off a few of the side shoots that come off the old trunk and plant them for plants to share with friends. If you plant your large one now, it will have time to become established before winter. Now, about the top. Cut it off near the ground after planting. The stump will put out new plants all around itself. Cut remaining stump to an appropriate length and stick it down into a large pot, maybe a 5 gallon bucket with drain holes. Place it in the shade. You will never know by looking that it was ever removed from the mother plant. It will root and you have another plant. If you have leftover stump pieces, I would stick them in a pot of soil and I believe they may root as well. Feel free to email me if you have more questions.
...See More
Keeping Elephant Ears Over the Winter
Q
Comments (16)
yes! the leaves and tubers. both, are edible as I bought them from the indian store as a vegetable. I did read a long time ago about various types and if I remember, they are several genera( and more species) in this collection? As I do not know too much about the edible factor for them, I stick to the edible ones from the indian store, Colocasia sp. ( maybe esculenta). The green stem and the purple stem. Where did you buy the tubers? You must make sure that they are edible ones. They are some that are ornamental ( the one with the dog picture are ornamental types , I think) As the oxalic acid content is pretty high in the leaves and tubers, you have to cook them really well. In India we cook steam them with brown sugar and Tamarind paste/lime juice along with indian spices to offset the oxalic acid crystals. The can really scratch your throat. My husband will not eat them as he is very sensitive. I do not seem to have too many issues. For that matter , Purslane, and some other greens, have a bit of Oxalic acid crystals. I love Purslane too. I cook them with lentils. Mm mm.
...See More
poaky1
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I'm glad to hear that, I have a Pink china I just ordered and received. I was wondering how true it was as zone 6 hardy. I also have Musa basjoo. I know they need mulched generously, does Pink china need a bunch of mulch also? I mean more than a couple inches worth, like 4-6 inches.
0
poaky1
7 years ago
Rusty blackhaw, did your pink china come up again after this past winter?
0
poaky1
7 years ago
I also wonder if the plant is in full sun or partial sun? And do you water it alot, and/or is it in a boggy area? I have heard that it is a bog lover, and also that it should'nt be kept too moist. So I wonder which is correct. Anyone can answer this that knows the answer.
0
Joe
6 years ago
I'm in zone 6 Pa and mine is in its third summer. It is planted in a very dry area in full sun. Gets watered about once a week, if I remember, and has multiplied to around 15 plants. It sends out runners that form tubers at the ends that root. I have cut off three in the past week and potted them up with the tip just showing at the top of the soil. I want to see how quickly they root and start leafing out. Great plant, not near as large as regular elephant ears, but it's nice not to have to worry about bringing it in for the winter. Oh, by the way, it is planted next to my basjoo clump which is about 15 years old!
0
poaky1
6 years ago
Really good to hear, I have several of the Pink China, and am getting babies off my Musa Basjoo. I had planted the corms of the Pink China and several sprouted late, so I got impatient and ordered more, so now I have many Pink China's growing. I will just have to dig up my Cannas, and move in my potted Ensete, along with my potted Pineapple lily. I will likely try and buy those 3 Elephant ears mentioned related to "Pink China", in the spring next year. I wonder if there are pics on the internet of them? Or does anyone have any pics to post?
0

Related Stories

HOUSEPLANTS How to Force Amaryllis Bulbs Indoors

By creative jewish mom.com

Enjoy vibrant red blossoms even as gardens turn snowy white, by teaching this hardy repeat performer to ignore the calendar

FALL GARDENING Frost-Hardy Foliage That Loves a Cold-Climate Garden

By Paintbox Garden

When winter cuts a bleak swath through other plants, these edibles and perennials flourish brilliantly

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Sea Grape, a Hardy Coastal Delight

By Steve Asbell

Up to the high-tide line or even indoors, sea grape draws smiles for its looks and cheers for its tenacity

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Great Design Plant: Retreat to the Shade of Hardy Catalpa

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Big foliage and a towering height provide a shady respite in summer, but that's not all hardy catalpa offers dedicated gardeners

HOUSEPLANTS Indoor Winter Gardens for Cheerier Days

By Laura Gaskill

Bring plants inside for drab-days mood boosting — not to mention cleaner indoor air and protection for your greenery

GROUND COVERS Great Design Plant: Evergreen Candytuft for Glossy Winter Foliage

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Keep your garden green through frosty days with this woody subshrub — then delight in sparkling white flowers come spring

HOUSEPLANTS 8 Essentials for Healthy Indoor Plants

Houseplants add so much to our homes — and can thrive when grown in the right conditions. Keep these tips in mind

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Walker's Low Catmint

By Annie Thornton

Prolific purple blooms, fragrant leaves, and cold-hardiness makes this a go-to plant for almost any garden

GARDENING GUIDES Texas Gardener's October Garden Checklist

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Earn a "free" bonus by dividing perennials, make planting a priority now for hardy growth next year and keep an eye on your lawn

GARDENING GUIDES 7 Tropical Wonders of the Plant World

By CYAN Horticulture

Go for high impact with the spectacular foliage, over-the-top florals or iconic profiles of these hand-picked tropical favorites

Sponsored

More Discussions

Can you help me identify this?

1