I just bought some elephant ear bulbs to plant for this spring. Since I live in Birmingham, Alabama, do I have to plant these bulbs in some type of container so that I can bring them indoors in the fall and winter season? Or can I leave them permanently placed outside in an organic garden bed all year long?

May be worth a toll free call!

Elephant's ear bulbs produce large, leafy plants which add a tropical look to a home landscape. Large plants are exquisite on their own and smaller plants provide an exceptional complement to other plants with color, like Caladiums.

They grow well in soil with good drainage, and thrive in sun or shade. They are also at home indoors in pots. If you're looking for a plant to fill a large area, Elephant's Ears are ideal. Plant bulbs blunt end down beneath 2 inches of soil. Fertilize and water regularly. If you have any questions or comments please e-mail us or call toll free 1-800-974-2558.

I live in NC and planted two bulbs, two years ago at the east facing back of my house. They grew very well among the banana trees. We had always dug up the bananas in the fall but didn't last year, instead mulched with 8 in. chopped leaves. In the spring I was worried but soon up came the banana trees and the elephant ears had multiplied, it look so tropical in my zone 7. We left them again and will see what happens this year. Good luck.

My son lives in McCalla, ALA and he leaves his Elephant ears in the soil year-round. As in the previous note, he mulches, and the bulbs are multiplying every year. Here in MI, we take in the pots-I have mine in a koi pond all summer, and let them rest in a frost free garage. It has lost a lot of huge leaves, but I keep it watered, and it has leaves 2 feet high, yet, in February. It will need dividing this year, as it is severly crowding the 12 in. pot it has been in for 2 years.