Colocasia esculenta ‘Black Magic’

Description

Colocasia esculenta ‘Black Magic’ is perhaps one of the most well-known of the ornamental colocasias. ‘Black Magic’ has the deepest, darkest coloured leaves and is a highly ornamental Taro.  We find that ‘Black Magic’ is one of the slower colocasias to get going but once happy, it will stun you and anyone who sees it with its outrageous, large (up to 40cm or more) heart-shaped leaves, in a deep sultry purple-black.

As with all colocasias, ‘Black Magic’ looks best when planted outside in a sheltered, dappled shade position.  Keep well-watered and fed throughout the growing season for spectacular effects.

Although tropical in origin, colocasias do remarkably well outside in UK gardens throughout the warmer months; some even tolerating year-round cultivation outside in particularly well protected areas.  We think colocasias are essential if you like exotic or jungly plants.  Don’t be put off by the fact that they aren’t fully hardy as they can be easily over-wintered by either lifting the corms after the first frosts and storing them in soil, in a damp and frost free environment or alternatively they can be grown in a container and placed in a frost free location for the winter.