On Gardening: Have a blast with the 2027 'Caladium of the Year'

Norman Winter, Tribune News Service on Oct 15, 2026

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If you are growing Surefire Red begonias, white Diamond Snow euphorbia and Unplugged So Blue salvia, it certainly stands to reason you need some rockets. In this case, may I recommend Heart to Heart Bottle Rocket, which was just announced as the Proven Winners 2027 "Caladium of the Year."

You may be wondering why The Garden Guy is talking about caladiums in October? The reason is that now is the time to order to make sure you get these award-winning bulbs. The Garden Guy is habitually late in placing my order, so please jump on it!

The Garden Guy and son James thought we were ahead of the curve with Heart to Heart Bottle Rocket, but I just learned that it also won the People’s Choice Award and Best of the Best in 2018. It just goes to show that the Winter boys know a great caladium when we see one!

Heart to Heart Bottle Rocket is a sun or shade caladium that reaches about 20 inches in height with a 14-inch spread. In Georgia we usually exceed those limits, which no one would dare gripe about. Wherever you plant you will find the greatest success with fertile well-drained beds that have been enhanced with organic matter.

James certainly has pushed the artistic envelope over the years, showing me that the caladium is more versatile in designs than we ever imagined. Imagine Heart to Heart Bottle Rocket with ornamental grasses, yucca in the distance, gold coleus, salvia, begonias and white euphorbia.

The Garden Guy is much more sun-challenged and to an extent "old school" than the youngsters. So, I have chosen partners like Royal Hawaiian Maui Gold elephant ear, Summerific Berry Awesome hibiscus and Sweet Caroline ornamental sweet potatoes. I do love chartreuse or lime green with the Bottle Rocket.

But a while back I did a combo that I suppose was blind luck. I planted Heart to Heart Bottle Rocket with Luminary Sunset Coral tall garden phlox. The extra-special aspect of this combination is that Luminary Sunset Coral phlox is the Proven Winners 2027 "Perennial of the Year." The red veining in the caladium and the phlox flower color is pure magic.

In last week’s column I mentioned how ColorBlaze Sedona Sunset coleus became a backdrop for Luscious Royale Cosmo lantana and a visiting Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly. Well, as Yogi Berra famously said, it’s like déjà vu all over again. The Heart to Heart Bottle Rocket caladiums became an incredible unplanned backdrop for the Luscious Royale Cosmo lantana and the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly.

Whether it is Heart to Heart caladiums, daffodils or tulips, bulb planting has never been easier. A Twist ‘n Plant auger attached to a cordless drill makes easy work out of what used to be a laborious task. You are simply drilling a perfect hole in size and depth and dropping in the Heart to Heart bulb. Oh yes, they are painted so drop them in the hole with the white side up. You will also most likely find your designs become a little more orderly.

Here is hoping you will grow the Heart to Heart, Bottle Rocket, the 2027 Proven Winners "Caladium of the Year." Get your bulbs ordered now to make sure you are part of the celebration.

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(Norman Winter, horticulturist, garden speaker and author of “Tough-as-Nails Flowers for the South” and “Captivating Combinations: Color and Style in the Garden.” Follow him on Facebook @NormanWinterTheGardenGuy.)

(NOTE TO EDITORS: Norman Winter receives complimentary plants to review from the companies he covers.)