Colocasia 'Illustris'

If the all-black elephant ears are drama, Colocasia antiquorum 'Illustris' is artistry. Its big, heart-shaped leaves are soft matt green, washed and feathered with deep purple-black between the veins, so each one looks hand-painted. The contrast catches the light beautifully and gives the plant a presence quite unlike the solid-coloured sorts.

It has all the lush, jungle character you'd want from a Colocasia, with that extra layer of pattern that rewards a closer look. Grown in a generous pot or at the front of an exotic border, it builds into a bold, sculptural mound through summer, every new leaf unfurling its own marbling. Give it warmth, rich soil and steady moisture and it grows away quickly.

Where to grow it

Happy in full sun or dappled shade, sheltered from strong winds that can tear the foliage. A little shade keeps the green fresh while the dark markings stay rich either way. Pot it into something roomy, keep it standing in moisture, and feed it well — these are thirsty, hungry plants, and they repay it with leaf after patterned 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 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.

A touch of afternoon shade keeps the green leaf fresh, while the dark markings hold their colour in any position. Shelter it from strong wind, which shreds the foliage.

Overwintering

This is a tender plant and will not come through a 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 bananas, cannas and ferns for a layered tropical scheme, or set it at a pond margin among other moisture-lovers where its patterned leaves can be seen up close.