While this elephant’s ear is by no means new, when you see it you can’t help but want to shout its praises from the rooftops. At least that’s how we felt when we encountered ‘Mojito’ during a visit to the Chicago Botanic Garden. The massive leaves (up to 2 feet long and 1 foot wide) seem otherworldly and wildly wonderful with their random splotches atop dramatically dark stems. The deep purple on chartreuse is striking, giving this plant the ability to shine all on its own in a container or as a focal point in a planting bed. Creating color echoes with ‘Mojito’ is easy with the help of low-growing plants such as golden creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia* ‘Aurea’, Zones 4–8) and black mondo grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’, Zones 6–11). For gardeners in cooler regions, the tubers can be lifted easily and stored during winter for an encore performance the following year.

‘Mojito’ elephant’s ear

Colocasia esculenta* ‘Mojito’

Zones: 8–10

Size: 3 to 4 feet tall and wide

Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; rich, moist, well-drained soil

Native range: Asia

*Invasive alert: Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)

This plant is considered invasive in AK, CT, IL, KY, MA, NH, OR, PA, RI, TN, VA, WI, and WV.

*Elephant’s ear (Colocasia esculenta)

This plant is considered invasive in AL, CA, and FL.

Please visit invasiveplantatlas.org for more information.

Sources:

• High Country Gardens, Santa Fe, NM; 800-925-9387; highcountrygardens.com
• Logee’s, Danielson, CT; 860-774-8038; logees.com

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Rain Bird PATIOKIT Drip Irrigation Patio Watering Kit

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

- Complete 42-piece drip irrigation kit eliminates watering by hand
- Provides drip irrigation for up to 6 planters
- Easy to assemble: just attach to faucet, cut tubing and connect watering devices
- Attaches easily to your outdoor faucet or hose

Buy at Amazon

XLUX Soil Moisture Meter

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

- Large and clear dial, including ten scales, plug and read
- Simply insert the moisture meter into soil and you'll get the test result instantly
- Single probe, less hurts to the roots, doesn't dig up too much soil after test

Buy at Amazon

Nelson Multi-Pattern Stationary Sprinkler

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

- 8 Pre-Set Watering Patterns
- Impact-resistant, plastic base
- Soft grip on multi-pattern head

Buy at Amazon