Elephant ears are great plants that give a tropical flavor to your landscape.

Elephant ear is the common name for two plant groups, or genera: Alocasia and Colocasia (also commonly known as taro).

Both groups are evergreen perennials found in tropical forests in sunny open places or shaded, usually damp sites. Both belong to the Araceae family, originating from south and southeast Asia.

Interest in these tropicals is resurging in the ornamental market. New breeding and selection efforts have brought small and giant habits, spotted and cupped leaves, and pink, red, purple and black petioles, stems and blooms.

Elephant ears are easy to establish and grow under a wide range of conditions. They're resistant to deer, too.

They grow mainly from rhizomes, or horizontal, underground stems that often send out roots and shoots from their nodes. Some grow from tuberous roots. They're all easily propagated by dividing the root ball, rhizomes, or tubers.

Many species are root-hardy to Zone 8 and some even to Zone 7. For the rest, you can dig up the rhizomes after the first light frost and store them in a dry, dark place that's cool but above 45 degrees.

Leaves are medium to large and arrow-shaped, with strong veins and fleshy petioles.

The inflorescence, or flowering part, has two main sections. A single bract, called a spathe, forms a shielding shell or hood for a stalk called a spadix.

The spadix bears the actual flowers and later the fruit and seeds.

Depending on the species, the spathe and spadix may be white to cream-colored, or tan, yellow or burgundy.

Alocasias bloom year-round and produce several blooms per plant at any time. Colocasias are more reluctant bloomers.

Alocasias and colocasias look alike, but here's how to tell the difference.

Alocasias have thicker leaves that are often held upright, with petioles attached at the leaf margins. They like to be kept dry and usually need some shade.

Colocasias have thinner, papery leaves that are held perpendicular, with petioles attached in the middle of the leaf. The botanical term for this is "peltate." They like to be kept wet and prefer full sunlight.

Both groups have both green and dark species and cultivars. The green plants generally need full sun and more water but can take more abuse. The purple plants, also called African masks, need partial shade and do best if kept on the dry side.

Handling the plants may cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction, so use gloves when planting or trimming.

Garden tips

- Scented geraniums make fabulous air fresheners. Rub the leaves together, and they put forth aromas of coconut, rose, nutmeg, citrus, or mint. Scented geraniums have several different, attractive foliage forms and colors, often very finely lobed and light green. Place them near a patio or porch to add an intriguing scent.

- Caladiums need generous amounts of water and fertilizer to encourage continuous production of new leaves during the summer. Apply a light side dressing of 5-10-15 fertilizer every two weeks, and water thoroughly to encourage bright-colored foliage.

- Lengthening the time between watering combined with deep, heavy irrigation encourages root growth while reducing top growth in lawns. This increases the root-to-shoot ratio and produces plants that are more resistant to wilting.

Reach Sid Mullis, the director of the University of Georgia Extension Service Office in Richmond County, at (706) 821-2349 or smullis@uga.edu.