Colocasia 'Black Magic'
It creates an exceptional architectural presence with its dramatic foliage. Its vigorous growth quickly produces an impressive tropical effect.
Black Magic Elephant Ear (Colocasia esculenta ‘Black Magic’) is a spectacular tropical perennial grown primarily for its enormous heart-shaped leaves in deep purple-black. Their velvety texture, upright habit, and nearly black colour create a striking architectural effect throughout the growing season. Its vigorous growth allows it to reach 100 to 150 cm (40 to 60 in) tall, quickly transforming garden beds and large containers into lush tropical displays. The flowers are small and insignificant compared to the dramatic foliage. Not hardy in Quebec, this Zone 10 variety must be protected from cold temperatures and overwintered indoors, away from frost.
Plant the tuber in spring after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has thoroughly warmed, approximately 8 to 10 cm (3 to 4 in) deep. Choose a warm, sheltered location in partial sun to partial shade with rich, organic, consistently moist, and well-drained soil. Space plants 60 to 80 cm (24 to 32 in) apart and water generously so the soil never dries out completely. Feed every two weeks with a balanced fertilizer to encourage vigorous foliage growth. Lift the tubers before the first frost and store them dry in a frost-free location for the winter.
Black Magic Elephant Ear is ideal for tropical gardens, lush borders, pond edges, and very large containers at least 50 cm (20 in) in diameter. Its dramatic dark foliage adds depth and contrast when paired with cannas, caladiums, ferns, ligularias, and hostas. Placed on a patio or beside a water feature, it quickly becomes a spectacular focal point. Although some Colocasia varieties are consumed after proper preparation in certain traditional cuisines, this cultivar is grown primarily as an ornamental plant. The leaves should never be eaten raw because they naturally contain calcium oxalate crystals.
