Caladium Gypsy rose, TROPICAL FLOAGE Bulbs

The Gypsy rose has to be seen to appreciate, but it has green leaves with red veins, that are heavily marked with pink blotches.

Fancy-leaved caladiums are tuberous tropical perennials grown for their broad colorful heart-shaped leaves. The hot-hued 'Fire Chief' has large leaves with rosy centers, magenta veins, pink and cream flecking, and green margins. The extent and patterning of these colors varies widely. The long-stalked leaves arise directly from the rounded tuber, forming an upright clump.

All caladiums thrive in warm, fertile, moist soil with good drainage. Their roundish tubers rot in cool damp soil. Like most fancy-leaved hybrids, 'Fire Chief' requires some shade to protect its foliage from sun scorch (in contrast, strap-leaved hybrids have narrower, more sun-tolerant foliage). Too much shade will diminish the color and number of its leaves, however. Plants go dormant in prolonged dry weather, but are nearly evergreen where conditions remain warm and moist year-round.

Caladiums are perfect for brightening shady areas and combining with blooming plants. Where hardy, use them as garden accents, or mass them as showy ground covers. In temperate zones tubers can be dug in fall and stored in a dry airy place until spring, or potted plants can be over-wintered indoors. Removing the tuber's main bud before planting results in leafier, denser growth.