The Heart to Heart Blushing Bride caladium has earned the title of “Caladium of the Year” for 2025 from Proven Winners, thanks to its striking appearance and resilience in the garden. This unique strap-leaf variety, often referred to as “she” due to its delicate yet bold foliage, has become a favorite among gardeners.
Over the past few years, caladiums have become a staple in my garden. They are remarkably tough, enduring until the first frost. Caladiums generally fall into two categories: fancy-leaf varieties, which are heart-shaped, and strap-leaf varieties, which have long, narrow leaves and often produce more foliage.
The Blushing Bride variety is versatile, thriving in both sun and shade. Many gardeners are still hesitant to plant caladiums in full sun, believing they will scorch. However, sun-tolerant varieties like Blushing Bride prove otherwise, showing off their vibrant colors even in direct sunlight. Those who plant them in the shade miss out on this stunning display.
Last June, I had the chance to visit the Young’s Plant Farm Annual Garden Tour in Auburn, Alabama. Chad Harrison, East Coast regional sales manager for Abbott-Ipco, the parent company of Classic Caladiums, shared his excitement over the Blushing Bride caladium growing in full sun. The plant stood tall at 21 inches, its deep pink leaves—bordered by green margins—created a striking contrast under the sun.
Caladiums are native to Central and South America, where the climate is hot and humid, which is why they thrive in areas like my home in west Georgia. I grow them in both containers and garden beds. Planting jumbo bulbs is easy with a Twist ‘n Plant auger attached to a cordless drill, allowing me to plant dozens in no time.
Heart to Heart Blushing Bride is a true award-winning caladium. When planting, space the bulbs about 8 to 10 inches apart and wait for the soil to warm up before placing them in the ground. Now is the perfect time to start sourcing your bulbs.
As a young horticulturist, I first paired caladiums with impatiens, but now I love pairing them with other plants like hydrangeas, azaleas, hostas, and coleus. Last year, I planted Blushing Bride alongside Shadowland Miss America, the “Hosta of the Year” for 2025, as well as Perfecto Mundo Double Red azaleas and Tuff Stuff Ah-Ha hydrangeas. The combination created a tropical oasis right in my garden.
Jumbo caladium bulbs offer excellent value, transforming your garden into a lush, vibrant retreat. Whether in a bed or container, caladiums bring a touch of the tropics to any space.
