ELEPHANT EARS, 'BLACK MAGIC'
Type: Tuber
Botanical Name: Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic' 
Form: Tender, deciduous perennial 
Sun Exposure: Partial Shade/Full Sun 
Height/Habit: 5' - 6' tall, large oval shape 
Spread: 4' - 5' Spacing: 3' - 5' 
Hardiness Zone: 7 - 10 
Foliage Type: Huge, oval leaves up to 2' + long and 18" wide. Deep purple-black. Ornamental from mid summer to frost. Flower Form: The Jack-in-the-Pulpit like flowers are small, insignificant and rarely produced 
Flower Color: Cream 
 

Flowering Date: Summer 
Planting Requirements: Plant 2 - 4" below soil level. Keep well watered. Best to mulch if not grown in standing water. 
Soil Requirements: Deep moisture retentive soils. They are heavy feeders. 
Growth Rate: Fast, established quickly 
Unique Characteristics: A wonderful tender perennial grown in the north as an annual where the rootstock is dug prior to winter and stored in a frost free environment. Huge bold foliage makes a dramatic accent in the garden. Perfect to grow with gray, pink or red flowers. One of the most outstanding structural plants for a garden, bringing a bold exotic, tropical look to borders or containers. It can be used as a specimen or mass planted where it can be a unique hedge or screen. Easy, to grow, requires little more than deep watering in dry spells. The foliage emerges green then turns black. Introduced by Walter Pagels in California. 
Pruning: None 
Additional Information: Lift tubers and over winter them in a frost free environment. 

Elephant Ear Photo can be found in Plant Photo Vol.