Mount Everest caladium. (Photo by Allen Owings)

Many Louisiana gardeners enjoy a summer landscape planting of caladiums. These are one of the most popular plants to fill shady gardens because they thrive in the heat and humidity common in Louisiana summers.

Caladiums are great, low-maintenance bedding plants. Start planting in early April. Recommended varieties for Louisiana include:

Fire Chief – fancy-leaf red

Carolyn Whorton, Elise, Florida Sweetheart – fancy-leaf pink

Moonlight, Garden White – fancy-leaf white

Mount Everest, White Delight, White Dynasty, White Ruffles – lance-leaf white

Bombshell, Hearts Delight, Cherry Tart, Red Ruffles – lance-leaf red

Celebration, Tapestry, Candyland, Raspberry Moon – fancy-leaf multicolor

Highlighter – lance-leaf chartreuse

Allen Owings
Rick Bogren