Colocasia Black Ruffles

Colocasia Black RufflesTake the drama of a black elephant ear and add a flourish, and you have Colocasia 'Black Ruffles'. Its deep purple black leaves are edged with deep, rippling waves, so the whole plant seems to move and catch the light. It's the texture as much as the colour that makes people stop and look. Those frilled, sculptural leaves give it a presence quite distinct from the smooth leaved dark sorts more theatrical, more intricate, and wonderful up close. Grown

Take the drama of a black elephant ear and add a flourish, and you have Colocasia 'Black Ruffles'. Its deep purple-black leaves are edged with deep, rippling waves, so the whole plant seems to move and catch the light. It's the texture as much as the colour that makes people stop and look.

Those frilled, sculptural leaves give it a presence quite distinct from the smooth-leaved dark sorts — more theatrical, more intricate, and wonderful up close. Grown in a generous pot or as a feature in an exotic border, it builds into a bold mound through summer, each ruffled leaf bigger than the last. Give it warmth, rich soil and plenty to drink and it grows away quickly.

Where to grow it

Happy in full sun or part shade, with shelter from strong winds — those ruffled edges are beautiful but vulnerable, and a battering spoils them. The colour deepens with good light. 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 rippling leaf.

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