Hi Lynne,

I love elephant ears.I grow them every year.

I live in zone 5,that should be close enough for comparison.

I grow them on the north side of my house.They get sun until about noon.They do like regular water.In the summer I water once a week if we don't get any rain.

They must be dug up in the fall and stored over winter.I've been using the same three bulbs for 4 years.
And they do multiply,if you want to bother with the little ones.

duckie

* * * *

Yes,potting them up.I didn't even think of that.
I start mine in pots the middle of March.
In my zone I can plant them on May 1st.I take them out and plant them in the soil.
But you certainly can leave them in pots.Lots of folks grow them that way.
I choose not to because you'll have to water much more often.

I luv potted plants and hanging baskets.But in the high heat of summer, my rule of thumb is,if it doesn't rain ,you need to water them.

It can get very time consuming.Bet you knew that.
Thought I would add it for other folks.I wish someone would have told me.

duckie

* * * *

I'm going to try that Alankhart. I'm in zone 6b also. That would be one less chore, not having to dig them up and then pot them in the spring. How much mulch and what kind do you use?

* * * *

Terry

May the force be with you

Here in north west alabama I mulch them with pine straw (2") and those things have gone crazy! The bulbs are planted under deck stairs in the shade, the ears grow out into the sun. They are planted at the west side of my home so they get the hottest sun of the day. The leaves sometimes wilt a little bit but no harm. They have been planted for only 3 years and I have had to seperate them already. To be honest I think I could get away without mulching here. But play it safe. Good luck.