S & J Nursery’s Colocasia
Royal Hawaiian ‘Black Coral’ Elephant Ear
For the Jacksonville | ST. Augustine area Landscape
( Colocasia ‘Black Coral’ )
Colocasia Royal Hawaiian ‘Black Coral’ 
Origins:
– These modern versions of the tropical Asian Elephant Ears are every
bit as beautiful as their rampantly naturalizing predecessors but with ought all the headache to keep them in bounds in the garden.
– Planting these well behaved modern cultivars of Colocasia that fit perfectly into todays gardens will add bold tropical foliage for eye catching potted displays, water gardens or traditional garden settings and mixed perennial borders.
– Colocasia Royal Hawaiian ‘Black Coral’ is a recent introduction from
the “Royal Hawaiian Series” of Elephant Ear plants bred with disease resistant foliage and nice tidy clumping habits. They are reliably perennial for the North Florida Jacksonville St. Augustine area
gardens.
Colocasia Royal Hawaiian ‘Black Coral’ Preferred Exposure:
– Plant Colocasia in a partial sun to shade in the North Florida | Jacksonville
| St. Augustine area landscape. Colocasia Royal Hawaiian ‘Black Coral’ does well in full sun as long as it is planted into a moist site or submerged as a garden pond plant. If your garden is extremely sandy and dry consider planting it in a location that will receive some relief from North
Florida’s hot sun.
Colocasia Royal Hawaiian ‘Black Coral’ Foliage:
– Stunning foliage of large, thick, glossy, heart shaped leaves with
deep black glossy foliage that has vivid blue veining and will add dramatic bold foliage color and texture to the North Florida Jacksonville and St. Augustine Florida garden.
– Foliage may remain evergreen during the winter in our North Florida
area gardens, but can go dormant and come back up the following spring depending on winter conditions and exposure.
– Colocasia plants are considered an evergreen perennial tuberous
herb.
Colocasia Royal Hawaiian ‘Black Coral’ Soil Preference / Salt tolerance:
– Colocasia Royal Hawaiian ‘Black Coral’ is tolerant of a wide range of soil
components and growing conditions, although they will be most at home with adequate moisture.
– Colocasia Royal Hawaiian ‘Black Coral’ will tolerate wet soils for
prolonged periods and can be planted into poorly draining garden sites in our North Florida landscapes.
– Can be planted into pots and submerged as pond plants for water
gardens.
– Salt tolerance unknown.
Colocasia Royal Hawaiian ‘Black Coral’ Size Variance:
– The foliage on the Colocasia Royal Hawaiian ‘Black Coral’ plant will
reach 4 -5 ft high and 3 ft wide.
Colocasia Royal Hawaiian ‘Black Coral’ Growth Habit:
– Evergreen, clumping perennial herb forms an attractive, upright mound
of tropical looking foliage.
Colocasia Royal Hawaiian ‘Black Coral’ Growth Rate:
– Fast growing Colocasia Royal Hawaiian selection.
Colocasia Royal Hawaiian ‘Black Coral’ Water Requirements:
– Although much more durable once established in the landscape, regular water is necessary to get the plant rooted and growing on its own after being planted in the ground from an S & J Nursery container. Use supplimental irrigation when planted in full sun or in extremely sandy soil.
Best Uses For Colocasia Royal Hawaiian ‘Black Coral’ in the Jacksonville | St.
Augustine Area Landscapes :
– Colocasia Royal Hawaiian ‘Black Coral’ is a great easy care low maintenance addition to just about any landscape. ‘Black Coral’ Elephant Ear plants will blend perfectly into traditional formal landscapes or tropical gardens. Colocasia also are right at home in the middle of a perennial bed and blend beautifully into any Cottage garden setting.
– Colocasia make an excellent potted plant accent for the pool or
patio area.
– Excellent pond side planting, in ground or containered.
– Perfect in masses under larger trees or landscape specimens for added
attraction to any landscape setting, near a seating wall, water feature, bird bath or park bench, etc.
Care of Colocasia Royal Hawaiian ‘Black Coral’:
– Low care landscape pant selection.
– Water every day during the establishment period after planting in the garden from a nursery container.
– Elephant Ear plants will need good water during the establishment period
and supplemental irrigation during dry spells or particularly hot dry summers, especially when planted into sandy soils.
– As with all perennial plantings, amending the soil with compost when planting your Colocasia plants will help keep them healthy and happy through the years.
– Fertilize each spring with a handful of garden compost or a mixture of Milorganite or Green Edge Fertilizer and a slow release poly coated plant food such as Osmocote or Stay Green general
purpose plant food or 10-10-10.