Description
AAS WINNER DETAILS
Winner Type: National
Class: Colocasia
Variety Name: ROYAL HAWAIIAN® Waikiki
Genus: Colocasia
Species: esculenta
Year: 2023
Common Name: Taro or Elephant Ear
Type: Non-seed annual
Breeder: John J. Cho, Ph.D. Emeritus Plant Pathologist, University of Hawaii, Plant Breeder of the Royal Hawaiian Colocasia Collection – Licensed by: Planthaven.com
Close Market Comparison: Nancy’s Revenge
PLANT NEEDS
Duration Type: Annual
Hardiness Zone/Hardy to Zone: Zone 7b – 11
Light Needs: Full – partial sun
Water Needs: High
Dead Heading Recommended: No
Staking Required: No
PLANT CHARACTERISTICS
Foliage Color: Deep-green glossy foliage with white markings and vivid pink veins
Plant Habit: Clump forming
Plant Height: 36 inches
IN THE GARDEN
Container: Yes, 14-20″ size
Weather Tolerance: Drought, heat
Garden Spacing: 12-15 inches
Medium Height Divider: Yes
JUDGE'S OBSERVATIONS
- “Great foliage color on a compact plant”
- “Color holds up well even in full sun and after a frost”
- “Lush, large full leaves with great color”
- “Tricolor foliage is stunning, red petioles stand out”
- “A fantastic elephant ear that will add drama to the garden”
AAS Winners
Doug Jimerson –
This was a great plant for our north Florida garden. It added tons of color to a front door pot and the leaves held up well during high winds. Of course, in north Florida we don’t often get a light frost until late December so if our plant gets knocked back it will have given us almost a full year of color. It can get a bit thirsty when first planted, but then is seemed fine with our regular rains.