Taro is new to gardens in Central Europe. Of course it was known, but it was considered a tropical plant suitable only for the connoisseur with a heated greenhouse. It is a different situation the USA, there it is a widely used garden plant, even in the cooler regions. Also in Central Europe it can be successfully cultivated in garden during the summer months. Due to its rampant growth it develops into a true show stopper in no time. There is hardly another plant available that can add such a tropical touch to your border or your pond. During winter you treat it like Dahlias: after the first frost dig out the tubers and store them cool and dry inside the house. In spring they will start to grow again as soon as they get enough sunlight and water.

Colocasias are tropical aroids. The best known of them is taro, an important vegetable in the tropics.  `Black Magic` grows to about a meter has violet-brownish leafs that resemble an elefants ear. If you want to see an elefant with its ears aglow, you may consider to plant this variety. It will do well in moist soil or even shallow water during summer, but needs to be kept dry and frostfree in winter (dig the tubers and treat them like dahlia tubers).