| Plant Spotlight: Caladiums |
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| Written by Kim Rogers |
| Jun 23 2010 12:59PM |
 If you have a shaded area in your yard that needs some color, you can’t go wrong with caladiums. These gorgeous plants come in a striking array of colors and patterns with heart-shaped leaves of red, white, pink and green.The white caladiums can be planted in the sun, but the red and pink varieties thrive in warm, humid shade. Caladiums do not flower; they are grown for their pretty foliage. They grow equally well in a garden or in containers. The red caladiums are my favorite, but I also like the pink and white varieties. Every year I plant red caladiums in a 19-inch ceramic pot that is under the patio cover. Red caladiums are the only plant I have ever planted there, but my husband actually had the nerve to suggest I plant something else there this year – of course I didn’t!! The pink variety also needs shade, so I have those in a pot under the shade of our oak tree. The white can handle full sun, so I have them in pot around the swimming pool. Caladiums are super easy to plant and to care for. They will thrive in the hot summer, but have absolutely no cold tolerance in the winter. You must grow them as annuals or dig them up before the first frost and replant in the spring. Originating in the Amazon jungles of South America, caladiums are native to Brazil. As I was doing research for this article, I was surprised to learn that caladiums are poisonous if ingested and can also be a skin irritant. While I certainly have never ingested them, I do not usually wear gloves when working with them. I have never experienced any skin issues afterwards, but I’d rather be safe than sorry so I will wear gloves from now on. Please give caladiums a try and I hope you will find them as fulfilling as I do.
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