GINGERS
The following are descriptions of some of the Gingers that I am currently growing or have grown. These are very rare, unique, unusual, and relatively pest free plants. It is my pleasure to be able to offer them to other plant lovers. This has been another exciting year and I have acquired several new gingers.
Alpinia galanga Grows 4-5 feet tall. Likes full sun. Flowers are small and are yellow and burgundy.
Alpinia zerumbet (Shell Ginger) Leaves are broad and dark green. Grows 7-8 feet tall. A good foliage plant. Must have mild winters to flower. Large pendant inflorescences with white and pink flowers that resemble sea shells. Likes some shade. PICTURE OF FLOWERS
Alpinia zerumbet 'Variegata' Grows to about 6 feet tall. The foliage is boldly variegated. A real showpiece. Blooms on last years growth. Will not stand frost. Makes an excellent pot plant for the shaded deck. MASS PLANTING and PICTURE OF FOLIAGE
Amomum compactum (Dwarf Cardamon) Has aromatic stems and leaves. Crush them and the fragrance of ginger permeates the air. Does not flower in South Georgia. Grows 2-3 feet tall and is very bushy and dense. Great for mass plantings. Attempts to be evergreen, but frost will burn the foliage. From Java. PICTURE OF FOLIAGE.
Boesenbergia rotunda This plant has very attractive light green foliage and grows to a height of about 2 feet. Pink and blue flowers appear in August from expansions along the stem. They are near the ground and are a delightful discovery when they bloom. PICTURE OF FLOWER
Brachychilum horsfieldii Grows to about 2 feet tall. Has fragrant rhizomes. Leaves are up to a foot long and 2.5 inches wide. Flower spikes are erect and flowers are white to yellowish and are up to 3 inches wide with orange stamens. From Java.
Calathea burle-marxii 'Blue Ice' Grows 2-3 feet tall. Produces pale blue bracts with white flowers. Needs partial to full shade.
Costus curvibracteatus (Dwarf Orange Ginger) Grows 2-3 feet tall. Native to Panama. Produces small orange crepe inflorescences. Needs partial to full shade. Makes an excellent pot plant.
Costus cuspidatus This is a small growing Costus for those spaces where you want a short plant. It grows to about 2 feet tall and has dark green leaves and orange flowers.
Costus speciosus (Crepe Ginger) The bold foliage spirals around the stem which is topped in late summer with a large 4 inch red cone from which 2 inch white flowers protrude. The red cone remains attractive after the flowers have gone. Grows to an overall height of 6 to 7 feet for me. One texts report growth to 10 feet tall. Originally from the East Indies.
Costus spicatus (Orange Spiral Ginger) Grows to about 6 to 7 feet tall. Leaves are about a foot long and about 4 inches wide. The spiraling nature of the foliage is shown in the picture. Flower spike is borne at the top of the stem and can be from 2 to 11 inches long by 4 inches wide and is orange. Flowers are reddish-orange. They are about 2 inches long by 2 inches wide. Will grow in the sun if kept moist. From Hispanoila. PICTURE OF FOLIAGE
Costus varzearum Grows to about 3 feet. Another good one for that low growth habit. The unique characteristic of this one is the dark green leaves with a strong burgundy color on the back. Makes this a really showy plant. The flowers are yellow and trumpet shaped. PICTURE OF FOLIAGE
Curcuma alisimatifolia (Siam Tulip) This species is being sold by some as the Southern Tulip. It is a top flowering Curcuma. The flower is pink and is 3 to 4 inches wide. The top of the flower spike is 6 or more inches above the foliage and is about 12 to 24 inches above the ground. It is a repeat bloomer on the new portion of the rhizome from summer thru fall. The leaves are about 18 inches long. This plant will grow in part shade, but it thrives in full sun. Native to the savannah areas of northern Thailand. PICTURE OF PLANT and PICTURE OF FLOWER.
Curcuma aurantiaca (Rainbow Curcuma) Grows 3-4 feet tall. Inflorescence is 10 inches tall by 4 inches diameter.It has multiple colors that include orange, yellow, green, and red. PICTURE OF FLOWER
Curcuma australasica Grows 4-5 feet tall. Flowers in late summer. Flowers cone is topped by red rose bracts. Individual lower flowers are yellow. The flower cone is borne high on the stalk and is readily visible in mass plantings. PICTURE OF FLOWER.
Curcuma cordata 'Jewel Curcuma' Leaves are about 7 inches wide by 18 inches long. The veins are prominent in the leaf, giving it a textured look. The base color for the flower bracts is white. However on the top and all down the sides, they are boldly accented in lavender pink. Flower cone is about a foot tall and very showy. PICTURE OF FLOWER
Curcuma domestica (Tumeric) Leaves are solid green. Grows to three to four feet tall. Bracts are green at the base of the flower inflorescence, and white tinged with pink at the top. Flowers appear in the summer. The spice and dye tumeric is made by grinding the rhizome. From India. PICTURE OF FLOWER.
Curcuma elata (Giant Plume) This species is the tallest of the Curcumas and may reach 6 feet tall. The inflorescences have greenish bracts at the base and bright pink ones at the top. The flowers along the spike are yellow and appear in the early spring. Envision the 1.5 to 2 feet tall flower spikes coming out of the ground in early spring before the foliage. From Burma. FLOWER PICTURE.
Curcuma gracillima 'Burgundy' Very similar to 'Chocolate Zebra' in all aspects except the bracts are burgundy and red in color instead of cream and red in color. PICTURE OF FLOWER
Curcuma gracillima 'Chocolate Zebra or Candy Cane' The leaves are about 4 inches wide by 12 inches long. This is a top flowering plant with the flower being borne well above the foliage. The flower cone is about 2 inches wide by 4 inches long and is 12 to 18 inches above the ground. The visible side of the cone bracts are variegated cream and red vertically. PICTURE OF FLOWER To show the effect, I have included a PICTURE OF A MASS PLANTING
Curcuma gracillima 'Precious Curcuma' Has leaves that are about 1.5 inches wide by 12 inches long. This is a petite little top flowering Curcuma. The flower is born well above the foliage, but is only about 10 to 14 inches above the ground. The flower cone is about 3 inches tall by 1.5 inches wide and has pink bracts that are bordered in white. FLOWER PICTURE.
Curcuma olena This short 2 foot tall plant produces inflorescences throughout the summer and early fall. Inflorescence bracts are dark green at the base and deep purplish pink at the top.
Curcuma ornata Grows to 4 feet tall. Leaves have a reddish central stripe. Flowers appear in late spring after the foliage. Inflorescence has broad white bracts with purple tips.
Curcuma parviflora (Paper Curcuma) Grows to about 1 foot tall. Flowers are bore in the axil of the leaves and are exposed in a showy fashion. Dark green bracts are topped by pure white bracts. PICTURE OF FLOWER
Curcuma petiolata (Hidden Ginger) This plant has bright green banana like leaves that arise from the ground and grows to 3 to 4 feet tall. See the picture on the home page. Individual flowers on the flower spike open white and turn yellow. The terminal of the spike is covered with lavender bracts. From Burma. PICTURE OF FLOWER.
Curcuma Petiolata 'Emperor' Similar in size and form to the Curcuma petiolata. The leaves are boldly variegated with creamy white stripes that run the length of the leaf. The flowers are white and lightly tipped with burgundy. PICTURE OF FOLIAGE
Curcuma roscoeana (Jewel of Burma) Grows only 2 to 3 feet tall. Has large bright orange waxy looking cones containing orange/yellow flowers. The last Curcuma to bloom. Flowers appear in late summer and fall. From India. PICTURE OF FLOWER
Curcuma 'Scarlet Fever' Grows 3-4 feet tall. Brilliant red stems make this an exceptional and unique plant. Flowers are low in the foliage and have white tipped with lavender bracts. PICTURE OF FLOWER and PICTURE OF STEMS
Curcuma sp.'Amethyst' The leaves are about 5 inches wide by 18 inches long, resulting in a short statured plant of about 18 inches. The flowers cone has red bracts at the top and the bracts down the sides are tipped in red. The lower stems are reddish in color. PICTURE OF FLOWER
Curcuma sp. 'Maroon' The leaves are about 4.5 inches wide by 18 inches long. They are smooth in texture and light green. The flower is borne down in the foliage, but readily visible and is about 12 inches off the ground. The top bracts of the flower spike are maroon and the tips of the side bracts are maroon. PICTURE OF FLOWER.
Curcuma zedoaria (Zedoary Lily) Foliage grows 4 to 5 feet tall. Leaves are dark green with a burgundy midrib. The flower spike appears in late March to April in South Georgia and appears just before the foliage. The flower spike will grow about a foot tall. Individual flowers are white turning yellow. The top bracts are the most showy part of the flower spike and are bright red. From India. FLOWER PICTURE.
Globba bulbifera (Yellow Dancing Ladies) This plant has a overall height of about 2 feet with small leaves that are about two inches wide. The flowers are unusual and are yellow with tips that resemble a lady dressed for dancing. They dangle from the branch tips during most of the summer and early fall. Probably one of the most sun tolerant Globbas. Makes an excellent cut flower. From India. FLOWER PICTURE.
Globba platystachya 'Silver Stripe' For those who like variegated plants, this one has a silver stripe down the middle of the leaf. The flower spike is spidery in appearance with tiny yellow flowers at the tips. Gives a unique appearance in a cut flower arrangement. PICTURE OF FOLIAGE
Globba winittii (Mauve Dancing Ladies) The plants are similar to Yellow Dancing Ladies. Pendent inflorescences of long lasting purple bracts with yellow flowers are produced in the summer and fall. Grows to about 2 feet tall. Makes an excellent cut flower. From Thailand. FLOWER PICTURE.
Globba winitti 'White Dragon' Flower bracts are pure white and 8 to 12 inches long. The flowers are yellow and protrude outwards from the central bract. Likes shade. Makes an excellent cut flower. PICTURE OF FLOWER
Hedychium coccineum (Red Ginger Lily) Grows to 5 to 6 feet tall. Flower spikes are born on the terminals of the stems. The individual flowers on the 10 inch spike are orange-red, mostly red. They are not fragrant. This ginger will tolerate sun rather well if adequate moisture is available. From India. FLOWER PICTURE.
Hedychium coccineum 'Angustifolium' Grows to 5 feet tall. Cinnabar bright orange flowers open all at once to give a spectacular show. The leaves have a waxy blue-green color, and are tightly ranked along the stem to give this plant a distinctive upright appearance. PICTURE OF FLOWER
Hedychium coccinium var. 'Aurantica' Known as the orange brush ginger. Grows about 5 feet tall. Its flower spikes have 6 rows of small orange flowers with 3 inch orange stamens that point outwards. Needs light shade.
Hedychium coronarium (Butterfly Ginger) White fragrant flowers are borne on top of 4-5 foot tall plants in late summer and early fall. The flowers have pure white petals with a hint of green in the throat and are fragrant. Will tolerate full sun with adequate moisture. From tropical Asia. PICTURE OF BUTTERFLY FLOWER
Hedychium coronarium 'Pink' This plant grows 6-7 feet tall. The flowers are borne in the top. The flower spike is about 8 inches long and 6 inches across. Individual flowers are peachy white and are fragrant. PICTURE OF FLOWER
Hedychium 'Daniel Weeks' Grows 4-6 feet tall. Has light yellow flowers with a golden throat. Very fragrant. Gainesville Tree Farm introduction.
Hedychium 'Dave Case' Grows to 7 feet tall. Has one inch medium orange flowers that are very fragrant.
Hedychium 'Disney' Grows to 6 feet tall. Leaf undersides are maroon.
Hedychium 'Dr. Moy' Hybrid from Dr. Moy of the San Antonio Botanic Gardens. Leaves have white paint like speckles covering the green foliage with some splashes of white varigation. The flowers are peachy-orange with a darker orange throat. Flowers appear in the fall and are fragrant.
Hedychium 'Elizabeth' Grows to 5 to 6 feet tall. Flower spikes appear in late summer at the terminal of the stem. Individual flowers are rich pink and fragrant.
Hedychium filigree Leaves are slender, about 1 foot long and 2 inches wide. Grows to about 4 feet tall and flowers in the top. White fragrant flowers with dark gold hearts in the fall. PICTURE OF FLOWER
Hedychium flavum (Yellow Ginger Lily) 5 to 6 feet tall plants. Flower spikes are born on the terminals of the stem. The individual flowers are yellow and very fragrant. From India. PICTURE OF FLOWER
Hedychium gardneranum (Kahili Ginger) This plant grows 4-5 feet tall. The central stem has flowers that arise along the stalk. The flower cluster is in the terminal position and is 6-10 inches long. Individual flowers are large, orange, and about 2 inches across. From India. FLOWER PICTURE.
Hedychium gracile This slender plant grows to about 4 feet tall. It has a narrow terminal inflorescence of white flowers in mid to late summer. The pistilate structure of each flower is bright orange. The flowers are fragrant only at night. From India.
Hedychium greenei The stems and undersides of the leaves are bronzy red in this species. The flower spike is born at the top of the stem in late summer. The individual flowers are reddish orange. New plants (kikis) form on the inflorescence after flowering. Needs shade to partial shade. From India.
Hedychium 'Hasseltii' Grows about 18 inches tall. Has a slender spike with spicy scented white flowers.
Hedychium 'Kewense' Grows 6-7 feet tall. Dense masses of pink flowers that are mildly fragrant.
Hedychium 'Kinkaku' Grows 5-6 feet tall. Large peach colored flowers with a dark center. The leaves are dark green. Flowers are exceptionally fragrant. Mid summer flowers.
Hedychium 'Lunar Moth' Grows to about 4 feet tall. Fragrant flowers appear in the fall and the plant gets its name from being similar to the Butterfly Ginger in flower, but larger and the flower has an orange pistilate structure. PICTURE OF FLOWER
Hedychium 'Orange Crush' Grows to 6 feet tall. Flowers are orange red and fragrant.
Hedychium 'Peach Delight' Grows 6-7 feet tall. A Plant Delights Nursery introduction. Has peachy-orange flowers with a dark orange throat. Fragrant.
Hedychium x 'Pink Flame' Grows to about 5 feet tall. Flowers are borne at the terminal and have large white flowers with a deep rose pink spot at the base of the petal. Fragrant.
Hedychium 'Pink Sparks' Grows 5-6 feet tall. The young stems are burgundy in color. Pink flowers are small with long pink stamens. Flowers are fragrant and densely clumped at the tips of tall stems.
Hedychium 'Pink V' Grows to 6 feet tall. Flowers are borne at the terminal and are white with salmon pink throats. Very showy and fragrant with a citrus flavor.
Hedychium spicatum Grows to 3 feet tall. Leaves are 16 inches long by 4 inches wide. 8 inch long loose terminal flower spikes have individual flowers that are yellow with reddish stamens. From India. The rhizome is used for pufumery in Asia. PICTURE OF FLOWER
Hedychium thyrisiforme Grows to about 6 feet tall. Leaves are 14 inches long by 5 inches wide. Flower spikes are dense, like a 4 inch ball. Individual flowers are white with white stamens. From India. PICTURE OF FLOWER
Hedychium 'White Starburst' Grows to 6 feet tall. Has medium sized white fragrant flowers that form a circle on the central flower stalk.
Kaempferia gilbertii Flowers are orchid like and white and lavender. Overall plant height is about 8-12 inches. Leaves are narrow and upright and numerous. Makes a dense cover. Shade plant.
Kaempferia pulchra (Bronze Peacock Ginger) Grows to a height of about 12 inches with a spread up to 18 inches. Leaves have a cream spotted vargation. Flowers are lavender and about 2 inches across. In my opinion, the Kaempferias will probably replace hosta in the deep south as a shade flowering plant. From Thailand. PICTURE
Kaempferia pulchra 'Silver Spot' Flowers are lavender. Overall plant height is about 6 inches. Leaves are large and have silvery spots that look like an artist has painted splashes on each leaf. Will grow thru the winter if kept warm. Shade plant.
Kaempferia rotunda (Asian Crocus) Grows to about two feet tall with very upright leaves. The backside of the leaves are purple colored. Flowers come out before any foliage in the spring. They are at ground level and stand up about 2 inches tall. Small white 4 inch long spikes accent the white flower with a purple throat. Fragrant. PICTURE OF FLOWER and to show effect, PICTURE OF FOLIAGE.
Cornukaempferia aurantifolia 'Jungle Gold' Has really bold silver striped leaves. Grows to about a foot tall. Likes shade. PICTURE OF FOLIAGE
Zingiber mioga. Grows 2 to 3 feet tall. Flowers are yellow and are borne at the base of the plant in late summer. From Japan. Some publications state that this ginger rhizome is also edible.
Zingiber officinale (Common Ginger) This is the edible ginger that is used in Asian cooking and teas. It flowers with a petite cone for me in south Georgia. Valued for its aromatic root. Needs partial shade. From tropical Southeast Asia. I get a lot of requests about using gingers in cooking. In my link page, I have included a link with a lot of receipes for using gingers. PICTURE OF FLOWER CONES
Zingiber rubens Blooms in late summer. Grows about 4 feet tall. Flowers appear at the ground level as red inflorescences with large red flowers speckled with white and yellow. PICTURE OF PLANT WITH FLOWERS AT GROUND
Zingiber zerumbet (Pinecone Ginger or Shampoo Ginger) This plant grows 5-6 feet tall and the leaves arise from a central stalk. Flowers sprout from the base of the plant on a separate stalk and grow to be about 18 inches tall. The flowers are yellow and protrude from a green cone. As they disappear, the cone slowly change to a bright red. It is the cone that is attractive and is used by florists as a long lasting cut flower. The cone produces a nicely fragrant thick juice that many people use as a shampoo. PICTURE OF CONES PICTURE OF CONES AND VARIEGATED HYDRANGEA IN A FLOWER ARRANGEMENT
Zingiber zerumbet Darcyi (Variegated Pine Cone Ginger) Grows to about 3 feet tall. Leaves are 8 inches long by 2.5 inches wide. They are bright green with creamy margins and stripes. The cones are similar to the pinecone, but more slender and more intense red in the fall. Individual flowers are white. PICTURE OF FOLIAGE.
