Xanthosoma aurea ‘Lime Zinger’

A humdinger of an elephant ear

Well into my “ tropical ” phase , ‘ Lime Zinger ’ elephant pinna ( Xanthosoma aurea‘Lime Zinger ’ , Zones 9–11 ) was just another of several unlike kinds of elephant ears that I had to try . An uncharacteristically cloudy , loaded southern summertime proved the merits of this plant life ’s chartreuse foliation : It glows , glowing , glows .

‘ Lime Zinger ’ has become the light bulb of my garden with its 2 - ft - long , heart - mould leaf that flutter in the slightest picnic . With a motto that seems to be “ the hotter , the good , ” this plant ’s chartreuse leafage holds its color in my blistering North Carolina garden . Plants grow as if on steroids , make 3 to 5 feet tall with a 4- to 5 - foot spread . ‘ Lime Zinger ’ do well in full sunlight and fond spook and does n’t beware slightly acid , deep , dampish soil . It seems to have no problems with pests or disease .

The name of this particular plant diverge : Xanthosoma aurea‘Chartreuse Giant’,X. mafaffa‘Lime Zinger ’ , andAlocasia‘Golden Delicious ’ . Like other members of the genusXanthosoma , however , ‘ Lime Zinger ’ originate from tubers . To overwinter , pop ‘ Lime Zinger ’ out of the garden before the first fall frost and place it in a cool , well - lit elbow room or heated up nursery . Decrease watering until belated spring . By the second growing time of year , your ‘ Lime Zinger ’ stash will easily replicate with baby tubers next to the female parent industrial plant . Do n’t stimulate to plant in spring ; tubers wo n’t take off until grunge and air temperature get ardent .

If a monochromatic system is your style , ‘ Lime Zinger ’ consorts nicely in the shade with stripy cry sedge ( Carex hachijoensis‘Evergold ’ , Zones 6–9 ) and the lily-livered - margined leaf and purple , orchidlike prime of variegated frog lily ( Tricyrtis formosana‘Variegata ’ , Zones 6–9 ) .

To create a lush , jungle effect , twin ‘ Lime Zinger ’ with other elephant ear such as calamitous leaf elephant capitulum ( Colocasia esculenta‘Black Magic ’ , Zones 8–10 ) . By midsummer , plants will be mix and brim with foliation colour and texture . If you have always gardened on the safe side , walk on the wild side with ‘ Lime Zinger ’ and enjoy the dramatic play .

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