These 2-foot leaves of lush green with smoky black markings add a tropical flair to any partly shaded setting. Perfect for large containers, this heirloom Elephant Ear is a moisture-loving plant that grows vigorously, bringing jungle beauty to your garden or patio!'Illustris' is an heirloom Elephant Ear, introduced more than a century ago and wildly popular during the Edwardian era. (Those Edwardians loved their foliage plants; Coleus was also all the rage during that time, both as a houseplant and in the garden!) In the wild it grows near streams and in damp, steamy jungle spots, so give it a bit of shade to bring out the stunning black highlights, and make sure it stays moist. If you're potting it up, as anyone north of its zone 9 hardiness range should do, you can set the entire pot in a pan of water for summer, to make sure it stays moist. Easy!
'Illustris' reaches 6 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide if given enough space in its container, so pick a giant tub and let it take off, creating a canopy of exotic color in your landscape!
Bring this plant indoors or to a frost-free location before winter, then set it out again for another season of glory. Be sure to give it a bit of shade to bring out the black markings; it will thrive in full sun, but is likely to be much greener. Zones 9-11 in the garden; everywhere in containers.
