Erle Nickel Sunday, September 25, 2011
Ornamental ginger plants are becoming increasingly popular choices in Bay Area gardens. In response, more species are showing up in local nurseries. One of the more attractive selections is Hedychium greenii, known in the trade as red ginger. The reason for this moniker is obvious at first sight. This rhizomatous, clump-forming perennial features red stems, a counterpoint to the 8- to 10-inch, oblong mid-green leaves. Maroon undersides complete this striking contrast.
For many ornamental gingers, the flowers offer subtle hues of white or yellow, but this ginger species earns its nickname, 'Fire Ginger.' The flowers are a unique blend of salmon, orange and red, further accenting the red tones found on the stems and leaves. Lightly fragrant, the flowers on this butterfly-type ginger last but a short time. As plants mature, however, they produce more flowering spikes, leading to a terrific show.
Two other characteristics distinguish this selection. H. greenii is a smaller species, topping out at 3 to 4 feet, making it ideal for smaller gardens or as an understory planting. And this ginger blooms a bit later in the season, late summer into fall, giving gardeners a tropical selection for fall color. These qualities make H. greenii a versatile plant, at home in a tropical corner or useful for adding striking foliage to a mixed bed.
Did you know?
One may wonder why this ginger species is called greenii when its colors and common name invoke the color red. It appears that all plants in cultivation have originated from one plant collected in Southwest Bhutan and grown in Darjeeling by a Mr. Green before 1908.
Word to the wise
The correct spelling of the species is greenii, not greenei as is often used in the trade.
Did you know? (Part 2)
It may surprise some to know that gingers and bananas belong to the same botanical order. Zingiberales consists of eight families, 92 genera and more than 2,100 species. Besides gingers and bananas, this order includes cannas and strelitzias (bird of paradise).
Cultivation
Grow in partial sun in moist, fertile soil. This ginger can handle more sun than some other gingers but doesn't want to dry out. Mulch soil to retain moisture. Hedychium greenii distinguishes itself among butterfly gingers by producing prolific small plantlets from the flower heads. You can remove these
plantlets after they mature and stick them in the soil about an inch deep. They will root readily. USDA zones 8-10.
Pests & diseases
Leaf spots and root rot can afflict plants. Aphids may be an occasional pest.
Availability
Look for this ginger in your local nursery beginning in August, usually in 1- or 5-gallon containers. You can find plants at Berkeley Horticultural Nursery in Berkeley, Orchard Nursery in Lafayette and Grand Lake Ace Garden Center in Oakland.
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/09/23/HO4T1L4GJH.DTL#ixzz1Z3ppJZab
For many ornamental gingers, the flowers offer subtle hues of white or yellow, but this ginger species earns its nickname, 'Fire Ginger.' The flowers are a unique blend of salmon, orange and red, further accenting the red tones found on the stems and leaves. Lightly fragrant, the flowers on this butterfly-type ginger last but a short time. As plants mature, however, they produce more flowering spikes, leading to a terrific show.
Did you know?
One may wonder why this ginger species is called greenii when its colors and common name invoke the color red. It appears that all plants in cultivation have originated from one plant collected in Southwest Bhutan and grown in Darjeeling by a Mr. Green before 1908.
Word to the wise
The correct spelling of the species is greenii, not greenei as is often used in the trade.
Did you know? (Part 2)
It may surprise some to know that gingers and bananas belong to the same botanical order. Zingiberales consists of eight families, 92 genera and more than 2,100 species. Besides gingers and bananas, this order includes cannas and strelitzias (bird of paradise).
Cultivation
Grow in partial sun in moist, fertile soil. This ginger can handle more sun than some other gingers but doesn't want to dry out. Mulch soil to retain moisture. Hedychium greenii distinguishes itself among butterfly gingers by producing prolific small plantlets from the flower heads. You can remove these
plantlets after they mature and stick them in the soil about an inch deep. They will root readily. USDA zones 8-10.
Pests & diseases
Leaf spots and root rot can afflict plants. Aphids may be an occasional pest.
Availability
Look for this ginger in your local nursery beginning in August, usually in 1- or 5-gallon containers. You can find plants at Berkeley Horticultural Nursery in Berkeley, Orchard Nursery in Lafayette and Grand Lake Ace Garden Center in Oakland.
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/09/23/HO4T1L4GJH.DTL#ixzz1Z3ppJZab