Colocasia 'Illustris', Pleioblastus viridistriatus, Phormium tenax 'Dusky Chief', Coleus 'Wild Kiwi', Geranium 'Patricia'
An expanded view of this shade grouping reveals the lemon-lime striping of golden bamboo (Pleioblastus viridistriatus), a contrast in both form and color to the black and chartreuse elephant ear (Colocasia ‘Illustris’). The citrus of the coleus echoes the lemon in both the bamboo and elephant’s ear, while the burnt orange adds a note of contrast. The mahogany blades of a New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax ‘Dusky Chief’) subtly echo the same tones in the coleus. The flowers of Geranium ‘Patricia’ add a magenta note of surprise to the group. While the flax and geranium are sun lovers, they will do fine in less than full sun. Remember to keep the bamboo in its container sunk in the ground to keep it from running. (Don’t forget to plug the drainage hole as well!)