Colocasia 'Black Beauty'

Few plants make an entrance like this one. Colocasia antiquorum 'Black Beauty' unfurls enormous, heart-shaped leaves in the deepest purple-black — so dark and softly sheened they look almost like velvet — each one held aloft on a strong stem that catches the slightest breeze. A single well-grown plant is enough to turn an ordinary patio corner into something that feels a world away.

Despite the jungle looks, it's a willing performer in a British summer. Give it warmth, rich soil and plenty to drink and it grows quickly, every new leaf larger than the last, building into a bold architectural mound from June until the first frosts. That near-black foliage is the perfect foil for hot colours — plant it among cannas, dahlias and bananas for a proper exotic scheme, or let it lean over the edge of a pond, where it's truly in its element.

Where to grow it

Happiest in full sun or dappled shade, with shelter from strong winds that can tear those magnificent leaves. Pot it into something generous, keep it standing in moisture, and feed it well — these are thirsty, hungry plants, and they repay a good soaking and a regular feed with leaf after dramatic leaf.

Supplied as an established young plant in a 9cm pot, grown here in Norfolk and ready to romp away once the warmth arrives.

Colocasia are grown for those spectacular leaves, and they ask for three things: warmth, moisture and food. Once nights are reliably warm, stand the pot in full sun or light shade, keep the compost wet at all times — they will happily sit in a saucer of water — and feed fortnightly right through summer. The more you give, the bigger the leaves.

Shelter it from strong wind, which shreds the foliage, and tuck it somewhere it can be admired up close.

Overwintering

This is a tender plant and will not come through a UK winter outdoors. As the first frosts approach the leaves will tire and die back — that is your cue. Either move the whole pot into a frost-free greenhouse, porch or conservatory and keep it barely moist until spring, or lift the tuber, dry it off and store it somewhere cool and frost-free. Start it back into growth with warmth and water from April and it will return as dramatic as ever.

Plant it with cannas, dahlias and bananas for a layered exotic scheme, or set it at a pond margin among ferns and other moisture-lovers.