(Giant Autumn Crocus)

Prized for its rosy-purple flowers that appear in late summer and early fall rather than in spring like those of most other "bulbs," this hardy perennial is native to northern Turkey. It has been known in gardens since the late nineteenth century. Although sometimes called "autumn crocus," it is not related to the genus Crocus, which is in the iris family.

This plant produces large broad strap-shaped leaves in spring, which gather energy for the underground bulb-like storage organ, known...

(Yellow Meadow Saffron)

Yellow meadow saffron is one of the most exquisite and uncommon spring flowering bulbs. This petite perennial from Afghanistan, northern India and Tibet grows from a small bulb-like corm. Its bright yellow flower buds arise on stalk-like tubes in late winter, emerging just after the green lance-shaped leaves. The floral tube usually has reddish-brown blushing which continues into the lowest part of the petal-like flower segments. Each corm can produce up to four small, goblet-shaped blossoms. The...

(Giant Meadow Saffron)

One of the largest and showiest colchicums, this perennial from uplands of southwestern Asia bears its lilac-purple, white-eyed blooms in late summer. Although sometimes called "autumn crocus," it is not related to the genus Crocus, which is in the iris family.

This plant produces large broad strap-shaped leaves in spring, which gather energy for the underground bulb-like storage organ, known as a corm. After the leaves wither in late spring, the corm quietly waits until late summer...

(Giant Meadow Saffron, White Giant Meadow Saffron)

Perhaps the most striking form of a beautiful "bulb" from southwestern Asia, 'Album' bears large white goblet-shaped flowers in late summer and early fall. Although sometimes called "autumn crocus," it is not related to the genus Crocus, which is in the iris family.

This plant produces large broad strap-shaped leaves in spring, which gather energy for the underground bulb-like storage organ, known as a corm. After the leaves wither in late spring, the corm quietly waits until late summer...

(Black Magic Taro, Elephant Ear, Taro)

A large, tuberous perennial native to tropical Asia, taro is grown for its huge heart-shaped leaves that add drama to the landscape. Its cultivar 'Black Magic' has striking purple-black foliage. In areas where the tubers will not overwinter in the ground, it can be lifted and stored in the fall, or grown in containers.

Beautiful near a water feature, 'Black Magic' grows well in shallow water or in any evenly moist, humus-rich, neutral to slightly acid soil. In regions with very mild winters,...

(Elephant Ear, Taro)

The big, bold elephant ear, ‘Blue Hawaii’, has large green leaves with bluish purple edges and leaf veins, which are supported by semi-glossy, burgundy-colored petioles (leaf stems). It was bred by John Cho at the University of Hawaii Plant Breeding Program and also boasts increased hardiness and disease-resistance in addition to a tidier, runner-free habit.

A large, tuberous perennial native to tropical Asia, taro (kalo in Hawaiian) is grown for its huge, heart-shaped leaves that add drama...

(Elephant Ear, Taro)

Wake up your garden with this unusual elephant ear! 'Coffee Cups' has big, beautiful, purplish black leaves that are supported by burgundy-red stems. Each leaf folds in at the base to form a cup, hence the name. Like many elephant ears, this is a large cultivar that forms broad, spreading clumps.

A large, tuberous perennial native to tropical Asia, taro is grown for its huge, heart-shaped leaves that add drama to the landscape. It originates from India and tropical Asia, Colocasia esculenta...

(Elephant Ear, Taro)

The big, bold, purplish black leaves of ‘Diamond Head’ have a smooth, glossy finish and are supported by semi-glossy, burgundy-colored petioles (leaf stems). This cultivar was bred by John Cho at the University of Hawaii Plant Breeding Program and also boasts increased hardiness and disease-resistance in addition to a tidier, runner-free habit.

A large, tuberous perennial native to tropical Asia, taro (kalo in Hawaiian) is grown for its huge, heart-shaped leaves that add drama to the landscape....

(Elephant Ear, Taro)

The enormous, colorful leaves of ‘Elena’ emerge from tall stems and have an almost showpiece quality. Each bold blade is blinding chartreuse with light, almost white veins and a purple eye spot in the center. A very cold hardy selection, ‘Elena’ likes plenty of water and forms broad, spreading clumps

A large, tuberous perennial native to tropical Asia, taro is grown for its huge, heart-shaped leaves that add drama to the landscape. It originates from India and tropical Asia, Colocasia esculenta...

(Elephant Ear, Taro)

This tropical elephant ear boasts a compact habit and beautifully variegated leaves with irregular, white spots, splotches and flecks across a matte green background. Colocasia esculenta ‘Elepaio’ is named after a Hawaiian endemic bird that is a species of monarch flycatcher and is sometimes referred to as ‘Milky Way.’ It can be difficult to obtain but is well worth searching for.

A large, tuberous perennial native to tropical Asia, taro is grown for its huge, heart-shaped leaves that add...