The One Bulb You Can Plant Now That Brings Bright Pink Color to Shade – Perfect for Lifting Dark Corners
We are obsessing over this foliage
Shaded areas are a crucial component of any garden design, but too much shade can leave your space feeling a gloomy and underused. However, if there's one summer bulb you need to bring much-needed color to shaded parts of your yard, it's caladiums (commonly known as elephant ear).
And we're not even talking about flowers. With glorious pink foliage, caladiums are guaranteed to make a statement, and you'll soon find that even the darkest corners of your yard feel cheerful and more vibrant.
Article continues belowWhat Caladiums Can Do for Your Yard
As the weather warms and summer beckons, you'll want to take every opportunity to soak up the sun – which is why those shady spots in your yard can feel particularly flat.
Of course, color might not sound like a revolutionary tactic, but it's guaranteed to make any shadowy areas seem far more uplifting. And to me, caladium is the perfect choice of summer bulb for shade.
Caladium is, for example, one of the best bulbs for shade, though it's often seen as a more unusual bulb to plant in spring.
Place caladium in a dark corner, and you'll be rewarded handsomely with a burst of bright pink leaves.
You can find mixed caladium bulbs at Walmart, but if you're on the lookout for a particularly show-stopping variety, try 'mesmerized' caladium from Plant Addicts, or 'raspberry moon' caladium, also from Plant Addicts.
While it's a great choice for garden beds, caladium will really make an impression in planters.
In fact, I'd say that container gardening is the secret: showcase some caladium plants in your favorite pots, and any neglected corners of your yard will soon start to feel cheerful.
You can pair caladium with a host of other shade-loving bulbs, from wishbone flowers, or torenia (which you can find at Burpee), to wax begonias (you can pick up 'surefire' red begonias at Plant Addicts).
These pairings guarantee a spectacular display, with plenty of variations in height and color, while the caladium plants themselves will provide striking color thanks to their vibrant, almost luminous foliage.
How to Care For Caladium
When it comes to caring for elephant ear, it's blissfully low-maintenance – especially at this time of year. It grows from tubers, and since it's a tropical species, it prefers warm weather.
Spring is the perfect time to plant caladium. Fortunately, it is impressively pest-resistant, so you won't usually need to worry about fighting off pesky insects or diseases.
If planting in containers, you'll need to choose rich, well-draining soil; you can always use a classic mix (like the Miracle-Gro potting mix, from Amazon) and add some organic vermiculite (also from Amazon).
Then, simply place your containers in a shaded or partially shaded spot – low-light, high-humidity areas are ideal.
After planting, the soil should remain moist, but never waterlogged – simply water whenever the top inch is dry. You can also use a balanced fertilizer to feed your caladium plants during their active growing season, which starts in spring and finishes in early fall.
Caladium is also a brilliant indoor plant, if your region isn't suited to growing it outside.
Since it creates plenty of visual impact without relying on flowers, caladium really is your secret weapon when it comes to brightening up your backyard in the months ahead.
Whether you add the bulbs to your borders, transform a forgotten area of your patio, or simply bring a dash of joy to a quiet corner, caladium will bring unexpected elegance to any spot.
In need of more inspiration? We've pulled together a list of the best plants for a shady patio, and we've also picked out a few underrated shade plants, if you're after something unique.
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