Elephant ears, Monstera deliciosa and plants over paving
Growing and repotting plants that do well in hot, dry weather
It’s been six weeks since I sliced and diced a pot bound elephant ear, and now every single bit that was separated from the mother plant, or sliced from the main stem is producing new plants.
Even thick, woody pieces of the truck are sending up new shoots. I thought I might have six new plants after the surgical intervention, but it’s more like 15 or 16 new ones.
At garden centres, elephant ears are either called Alocasia or Colocasia. This elephant ear is an Alocasia, the variety looks like one called Calidora. The leaves point up, unlike elephant ears classified as Colocasia; their leaves point downward.
It’s clear that this plant has a strong will to reproduce. Some have already been given away, but others remain in the Renwald nursery, because it’s so interesting to see them grow.
The repotting of the Monstera deliciosa was equally rewarding. It too was root bound and growing in soil depleted of nutrients. It’s now settled in the front garden, in the original pot, and growing robustly in fresh potting soil. All the plants are benefitting from careful watering and fertilizing.
Though the internet abounds with information, much of it is conflicting or too skimpy to be useful. Elephant ears “experts” say they should be grown in part shade or full sun depending on the site visited. All you can do is read many sources and try to find consensus.
Recently, I posted a photo on Instagram of one of my favourite plants, an eryngium named Miss Willmott’s Ghost. Commonly called a giant sea holly, this icy, silver, thorny plant sends seeds around the garden and blooms in a different spot each year. It is not invasive.
On Instagram, many people commented that they wished they could grow it. The wise gardener knows that Miss Willmott prefers dry, “lean” soil-that means soil that is not rich in nutrients.
Miss Willmott is named after a famous British gardener, who’s riches to rags life would make an excellent movie. Wealthy at birth, broke at death, Ellen Willmott was a horticultural force during Victorian times, sponsoring plant expeditions, and discovering many new species. She reportedly scattered seeds of the giant sea holly when visiting gardens. Thus, her spirit lives on in this ghostly plant.
Miss Willmott’s Ghost is a perfect plant for our parched July. The recent ban on most types of watering would not impact Miss Willmott. Just as there are many other plants suited for periods of drought.
It’s always wise to carefully consider what we plant and what the plant needs to survive. Many plants will adapt to a less lavish watering schedule.
Several years ago I helped my friends plant a garden at Euphoria 158 Hair Boutique, at the corner of MacNab and Mulberry streets.
The corner property was all paved before they moved in, but the landlord took out some concrete and left them with two big empty beds.
They could have turned their back on them and let the weeds grow, but they signed on for a garden.
I picked the plants, and my friends James Honey and Alex Stewart of The Honey Project helped me plant them. We used pachysandra as a ground cover, hosta for accents and Oakleaf hydrangea and viburnums for structure and fragrance.
These plants don’t get babied, are watered sparingly and yet the garden looks beautiful. It was a DIY project with a modest budget that has really beautified a busy corner.
Last year salon owners Devon Brucculeri and Veronica Sousa won a Trillium Award. They deserved it. They could have opted for a garden of sad rocks and scraggly geraniums, but instead embraced a bigger idea.
We all win when gardens replace concrete.