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Caladium

Caladium x hortulanum
Perennials ( zones 9 and warmer ) or summer bedding annuals ( in cooler climates ) that are hybrids derived from Caladium bicolor. They are great in the shaded landscape and also in planters as long as they are kept moist. Caladiums typically reach up to 2 x 2 feet in size. In tropical monsoon climates they grow during the wet season then go dormant during the dry season, re-emerging when rainfalls return.
The Caladiums are native from Central America to northern South America, especially Brazil, where they grow in open woodlands and along riverbanks.
The wavy-edged, broad spear-shaped to triangular leaves, up to 20 inches in length,
are vividly colored with a combination of deep green and either white, pink, red or sometimes all of the above. They are among the showiest and most spectacular of all shade perennials.
Caladiums require partial or light shade and moist, fertile, acidic, well drained soil as well as prefer daytime temperatures above 70 F. To look their best, they must not be allowed to dry out.
In temperate climates, the corms should be lifted before the first frost then dried and stored for the winter. They are stored moderately dry over the winter at 56 to 61 F. They can be propagated from division of the tubers. There are some excellent videos on Youtube about storing Caladium bulbs for the winter. These include:


* photos taken on July 13 2011 in Columbia, MD



* photo taken on Aug 3 2011 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Aug 12 2011 in Columbia, MD



* photos taken on Aug 20 2011 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD



* photos taken on Sep 1 2011 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on July 20 2012 in Baltimore, MD

* photos taken on June 10 2013 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 24 2013 in Columbia, MD










Caladium lindenii

* photo of unknown internet source