What Are Caladiums?
As we mentioned, they are a species with tropical foliage. They have leaves shaped like a heart or a triangle, with very bright colors. Caladiums can reach a height of 12 – 30 inches, depending on what variety you choose and how you take care of it. They have colors varying from pink to red or white. Usually, they grow best in a warm and moist soil. This type of plant doesn’t love cold at all, which means that you must protect it during winter if you want to plant again next year. People choose to plant them in their backyard because they offer plenty of colors even in the shade, where most flowers don’t grow. However, their most convincing advantage is that they require little maintenance whatsoever. For more reasons why you should be landscaping with caladiums, see below.How Can I Incorporate Caladiums into My Tree Landscaping Design?
Are you looking for stunning ways to upgrade your yard? Consider incorporating caladiums into your tree landscaping design. These vibrant plants with their colorful heart-shaped leaves can add a pop of beauty and elegance to the area around your trees. Plant them strategically to create a visually pleasing and dynamic outdoor space.
Can I Use Caladiums to Enhance the Look of My Patio Pavers?
Caladiums are an excellent choice to boost the appearance of your patio pavers. These vibrant, leafy plants can effortlessly add a touch of color and elegance to any outdoor space. By placing caladiums strategically around your top patio pavers and paving ideas, you can create a visually stunning and inviting environment for your patio.
Why Landscaping with Caladiums?
So, one of the reasons you should be going for a caladium garden is that they need little maintenance. However, there are other reasons as well.- Get Some Color in the Shade
- They Manage on Their Own
- They Thrive in a Tropical Climate
- Both Sun and Shade
- Growing in Containers
Landscaping with Caladiums Suggestions
Now that you are more familiar with these plants and why are they a great choice for your landscape, let’s see a couple of suggestions. Naturally, you can combine various ideas presented below or choose just one, depending on your personal preferences.1. Focal Points
Thanks to their bright colors, caladiums can be an excellent option for focal points. You can create these in patios, entryways or around a pool. Whether you choose the Fancy Leaf or Strap Leaf varieties, they are great for a lush, colorful aspect.2. Hanging Baskets
Another great idea if you consider landscaping with caladiums is to place dwarf or strap leaf varieties in hanging baskets. Add some vining plants for an extra touch in the visual. Here you have some possible combinations:- Sweetheart variety & Variegated Vinca major or Ipomoea Marguerite (sweet potato vine);
- Miss Muffet variety & Ipomoea Blackie (sweet potato vine).
3. Pots
As we mentioned earlier, you can grow caladiums in pots and containers as well. This is great for a patio if you want to move them around or plan on making changes in your design soon enough. Moreover, this option lets you play around with textures and colors. Ideally, if you plant a caladium in a pot, you can finish up the look with some ornamental grass.4. Plant Companions
There is a huge array of plants you can choose to plant together with caladiums to embellish your landscape. Here you have a brief list of plants that work well in this context:- Ferns – it provides a nice and elegant contrast between the green fern and the caladiums’ brightly colored leaves;
- Hostas;
- Hellebores;
- Polka Dot Plants;
- Begonias;
- Sultana;
- Sedum;
- Oxalis with pink flowers;
- Clematis;
- Impatiens.
5. Mix Different Varieties
Just like you would mix caladiums with other plants, why not mix different varieties as well? A good suggestion when landscaping with caladiums is to mix and match various blooms. Here you have a brief list of the most common varieties:- Jackie Suthers’ – this is a small type with white-centered leaves and dark green shades;
- Sweetheart – it features a pink-red color and green edges, which makes it great for a shade garden and it’s also more compact;
- Rosebud – the leaves of this variety come in three colors: the center is pink, with white surroundings and green edges;
- White Queen – it requires more sun than the rest of the varieties, it has white leaves with red veins that grow from a rosy pink;
- White Christmas – it shows bright white leaves with dark green veins and it can also resist in plenty of sunlight.
- Aaron or Red Flash – big leaves, good companions for canna lilies or elephant ears;
- Gingerland and Miss Muffet – dwarf varieties that are great for hanging baskets.