A garden needs depth and one of the best ways to achieve that is with dark foliaged plants. The darker leaves give great dimension, receding visually, they create shadows where there may not be any. For summer I find the large leafed colocasia a must. I have grown them in pots filled with water as well as in the garden, planted in soil. Tropical plants with large leaves, the foliage rotates horizontally with the slightest breeze, sometimes startling the gardener as they appear to be someone waving.

Our summer months are very hot, a perfect place for tropical plants. Growth rate is shocking, especially from July to September, and more so if you water often. Think tropical rain pattern. Every year I plant a black leafed garden, the colocasia hold prime spots. Members of the family araceae, they are aroids, sharing relatives such as caladium, philodendron and alocasia. Both alocasia and colocasia are commonly known as taro or elephant's ear (often referred to as elephant ears). Of the black leafed aroids, only colocasia offers such a wide variety. This comes as a big surprise when there are only 6 species, verses more than 70 in alocasia. The blackness of their leaves is truly amazing with leaf surfaces that can be glossy (like black patent leather) or matte. Every year we see new hybrids and I plant as many as my black garden will allow. My current favorites are C. 'Hilo Bay' and c. illustris, the latter a species with black, matte finish leaves and green viens. Colocasia 'Hilo Bay' is a giant and some of my leaves are 24" long and 18" wide. Each leaf is super glossy and handsome.

For all of their pros, there are some cons. Namely the issue of winter storage. In fall, once temperatures drop to 40 degrees, you will have to either dig the plant up and bring it inside or dig it up and prepare to store the tuber or root. With my limited indoor space, I store the tubers. Once you dig up the plant, you will see the large tuberous roots, cut off the foliage and let the roots dry. I leave them out in the sun for a day. Once dry, coat them in 8 parts vermiculite to 2 parts sulfur (shake in a bag to coat). Set the roots out to dry again and then put them in a bag to bring indoors for the winter months. Check occasionally for any that are soft and remove.

Come spring it's best to wait until May to replant. You want a warm soil. Every tuber will sprout and grow, and love the heat. Those beautiful black leaves of summer.