{"product_id":"alocasia-wentii","title":"Hardy Elephant Ear - Alocasia wentii","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrice includes everything:\u003c\/strong\u003e the plant, free delivery and professional installation by our planting team. One price, whole job done.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHardy Elephant Ear - Alocasia wentii\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOf all the elephant ears sold in Australia, \u003cem\u003eAlocasia wentii\u003c\/em\u003e is the one that will actually survive a cool temperate winter in a sheltered shaded bed. Its leaves are thick and leathery rather than papery, deep green above with a distinct bronze purple reverse, held on sturdy upright stalks that shrug off wind that would shred a colocasia. It is the practical choice when a client wants a tropical look in Melbourne, Adelaide or coastal Sydney rather than only in Brisbane.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy Hardy Elephant Ear\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCold tolerance\u003c\/strong\u003e: Considerably tougher than most alocasias, tolerating cool winters and light frost when planted in a sheltered spot and well mulched.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLeaf substance\u003c\/strong\u003e: Thick leathery blades resist tearing and last far longer in exposed positions than thin leaved species.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePurple reverse\u003c\/strong\u003e: The bronze to purple underside catches light from below and shows when the leaves lift in a breeze.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClumping increase\u003c\/strong\u003e: It offsets steadily from the base, so a single plant becomes a substantial clump within a few years.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eToxic sap\u003c\/strong\u003e: All parts contain calcium oxalate and are toxic if chewed, worth noting where pets and children are about.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eIdeal Applications\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShaded courtyard bed\u003c\/strong\u003e: Delivers bold tropical foliage in south facing courtyards that get no direct sun.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUnderplanting to palms and tree ferns\u003c\/strong\u003e: Fills the middle layer beneath a taller canopy with broad textured leaves.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePot culture\u003c\/strong\u003e: Handsome in a wide glazed pot on a covered patio, and easy to shift out of the worst winter cold.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater feature surrounds\u003c\/strong\u003e: Enjoys the humid microclimate around ponds and fountains without needing to sit in water.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eSpecimen \u0026amp; Installation\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing (screening\/hedge):\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.6 to 0.8m apart for a continuous foliage mass\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing (feature\/avenue):\u003c\/strong\u003e 1 to 1.5m apart\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest Planting Season:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spring and early summer, so roots settle before the first cold\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil \u0026amp; Drainage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rich, open, free draining soil high in organic matter, evenly moist through summer and drier in winter\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEstablishment Care:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep the soil damp through the growing season and cut back watering sharply once temperatures drop, since cold wet tubers are the usual cause of loss. Apply a thick mulch over the crown before winter in cool districts, and accept that foliage may be knocked back by frost and will reshoot in spring.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003ePlant Details\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1 to 1.5m\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWidth:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1 to 1.5m\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Evergreen in mild climates, knocked back by frost and reshooting in spring where winters are cold\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Part shade to full shade, with morning sun tolerated\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNative to:\u003c\/strong\u003e New Guinea\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlower Colour:\u003c\/strong\u003e Insignificant\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Direct","offers":[{"title":"400mm","offer_id":59795277512990,"sku":"ND-0107-400MM","price":800.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1000\/2536\/8862\/files\/PjkEYVWRE4XozWb5U-L9l_XbF1TLdu.jpg?v=1787312282","url":"https:\/\/nurserydirect.com.au\/products\/alocasia-wentii","provider":"Nursery Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}