Caladium Fiesta

Caladium 'Fiesta' is a variety with an impressive pattern, giving the impression of unreal, almost artificial foliage. Pink veins flow in the centre, overflowing and infusing the white leaf surface, like blood. The large, rounded leaf is bordered by a thin green margin, like the small peripheral veins. The Caladium, prized in the 19th century for its exotic appearance, is experiencing a new popularity thanks to its large, heart-shaped, colourful and eye-catching leaves that add a spectacular dimension to seasonal flower pots and flower beds. Caladiums are native to tropical America, prefer semi-shaded environments and are generally grown as annual plants or like begonias, with their tubers kept dry and cool during the winter.

The Caladium genus belongs to the Araceae family and includes about 12 species native to Brazil and adjacent regions of Central and South America. Their common names are elephant ears, heart of Jesus, and angel wings because of the shape of their large leaves. In the wild, these tuberous plants grow in clearings and on riverbanks. They are in vegetation during the rainy season but go dormant to escape the dry season. Note that all parts of the plant are toxic to humans.

The hybrid Caladium 'Fiesta' forms a clump of leaves measuring about 40 cm in all directions from spring onwards. The leaves, which measure approximately 25 cm long and 12 cm wide, have a characteristic elongated and notched heart shape with a tapered tip. The flowering, when it occurs, is quite insignificant. It takes the form of a yellowish spathe or cone surrounding a column called a spadix, characteristic of plants in the arum family. In early autumn, watering should be reduced. The foliage then dries up, a sign that the plant is going into dormancy. This is the time to dig up the tubers, which can spend the winter in slightly moist peat substitute, in the shade, in a cool room maintained at 16 or 18 °C.

Caladium 'Fiesta' enhances semi-shaded flower beds with its striking pattern throughout the summer season and adds an exotic touch to your garden. Its distinctive foliage enhances the beauty of neighbouring plants. It pairs perfectly with Japanese azaleas and dwarf rhododendrons at the base of hydrangeas. It also creates beautiful scenes with the foliage of hostas that thrive in woodland settings, punctuated by a few single flowers of Impatiens. Caladiums are ideal for creating beautiful potted plants to enhance terraces and verandas, superbly combining with the foliage of Coleus.