Caladium White Wings

This foliage is large, heart-shaped, and so eye-catching, with a pure white background (that seems translucent when the sun hits it!) speckled and outlined in dark green. It's the perfect "go anywhere" Caladium for mixed containers, because its color palette complements everything else. And in the shade garden, those big white wings really illuminate dark colors and bring out the texture of neighboring plants. White Wings reaches 18 inches high and about 20 inches wide, a good size for edging or even the middle of the shade border. It cuts a ripple of clean color through any large planting, and is also splendid on its own in a colorful pot!

If you're new to Caladium growing, you're in for a treat. This lightweight, rooty little bulb is a snap to grow. If you're familiar with planting Daffodils and Tulips, the thing to remember about planting Caladiums is that the bulb goes upside-down -- wide end on top, tapering parts facing down! Set it 2 or 3 inches beneath the soil in the garden (more shallowly in pots) when the weather has warmed in spring, selecting a spot in full to partial shade (up to a half day of direct sun OR constant dappled sunlight is fine).

Caladium also makes a fine year-round houseplant, asking only for a warm enough room to keep the soil at or above about 70 degrees F. You can start it any time of year, and the gorgeous foliage stays fresh and pretty for months.