The tiny courtyard in our segment was dominated by a rock wall. Many people think that the best approach for an area like this is to use small pots that won’t take up too much space. However, a jumble of little pots and plants usually just looks messy. Don created a bold statement in the courtyard using big black pots and handsome foliage plants. This made the area appear larger, creating a foreground and pushing the rock wall into the background.
Don planted elephant’s ears in the pots (Alocasia plumbea ‘Metallica’). These spectacular foliage plants are from Java, and are similar in appearance to the giant taro (A. macrorrhiza). The huge, purple-tinged leaves are shaped like arrowheads, and have a distinctive metallic sheen. Alocasias do best in warm, frost-free climates (in cool areas they die down during winter). They like high humidity, bright light and plenty of water. To help retain moisture, Don added Hortex Rainsaver Water Storing Crystals to the potting mix, and mulched the top of the pots with sphagnum moss. Normally pot plants should not stand in saucers of water, as they may develop root rot. However, this was an exception to the rule – elephant’s ears love having wet feet!
Cost and availability
Large fibreglass pots – around $340 from ‘The Container Connection’. Phone (02) 9831 4114 for your nearest stockist (available Australia-wide). Potting mix – about $13 per 30-litre bag. Hortex Rainsaver Water Storing Crystals – $38/1kg or $15/250g. Taro or elephant’s ear (Alocasia plumbea ‘Metallica’) – $50 each. Sphagnum moss – $9 to $10 for 5 litres.