Garden Guru: Quit clowning around, and let's have a Heart to Heart about caladiums

The last couple of years has been a revival of the gardening spirit for the Gardening Guy, especially when it comes to caladiums. In the '90s, I went bonkers planting caladiums and impatiens as partners, then I suddenly stopped. I can’t even remember why.

Maybe it's my introduction to Heart to Heart Clowning Around caladiums.

When my bulbs came in, I repeated my process from last year. I got my Twist ‘n Plant auger attached to my cordless drill and planted 40 bulbs in just a couple of minutes. If you ever try this auger, not only with bulbs, but the pots most petunias and such are grown in, you will be hooked.

That old saw about a watched pot never boils also applies to caladium bulbs. Were they Clowning Around down in my bed playing caladium games? Nah, soil temperatures stayed cool for a lot longer than normal, which delayed the sprouting. Now, they are growing like they are on steroids.

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Heart to Heart Clowning Around is considered a shade- to part-shade caladium. It is a fancy-leaf variety with clear, bright rose-pink veins, cream orange areas surrounding often raised olive green areas on the edge, giving the plant a textured appearance, similar to another varietal, the Twist and Shout.

Producers will tell you caladiums are like Forrest Gump’s “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” With caladiums over a long season of shifting light, temperatures, and maturity, there are a lot of looks to enjoy in the growing experience. That being said, my Heart to Heart, Clowning Around are in a little more sun and absolutely electrifying.

I have them partnered with Surefire Cherry Cordial begonias, Royal Hawaiian Maui Gold elephant ears and Luminary Sunset Coral tall garden phlox. I referenced it on my Facebook post as Good Laudy This is Getting Gaudy. It isso fun an d colorful.

I am also growing another, new to me, Heart to Heart caladium called Raspberry Moon. Right now, it is another one I had not pictured. It is better, and I think I have fallen head over heels for it. It is another fancy-leaf type recommended for shade to part-shade with big elephant ear-shaped leaves.

Heart to Heart, Raspberry Moon leaves are described as light green with raspberry pink centers. Be still my heart, mine are light or pale lime green with artist-like strokes of dark green and slightly more brush-like strokes of dark raspberry. These are random colors as if unplanned and never to be duplicated. I have mine paired with the award-winning Shadowland Coast to Coast host with chartreuse leaves, Shadowland Empress Wu with blue leaves and a 4-foot-tall golden leaf evergreen anise.

There are now 29 varieties in the Heart to Heart Collection. The breeders have already done more than I could have ever dreamed. The Heart to Heart, Burning Heart with red foliage defies logic. It is breathtaking in the sun where it looks on fire or the shady part of the day where the red darkens and looks like it was found in the jungle.

Next year in 2024, there will be a new variety as Heart to Heart, Rain or Shine will debut with color that is indescribable. I was trying to figure out what I would write and then found the Proven Winners description. It reads, “large heart shaped leaves emerge in dramatic shades of deep bronze pink-red with soft pink speckles and black veining. In certain lights, you might detect a hint of purple, too.”

All I can say is jump in and get your feet wet with Heart to Heart, Caladiums.  There are 29 varieties that will take your breath away.

Follow Norman Winter on Facebook @NormanWinterTheGardenGuy for more photos and garden inspiration. See more columns by Norman at SavannahNow.com/lifestyle/home-garden/.