
Hardy Plantabase
Category: Flower (7 Entries)
Bananas (14)
Bamboo (9)
Cannas (2)
Elephant Ears (10)
Gingers (5)
Palms (6)
Shrubs (7)
Trees (8)
Shampoo Ginger, Pinecone Ginger (Zingiber Zerumbet)
April 26, 2010 | 13591 Views | 0 Comments

Beehive Ginger (Zingiber Spectabile)
April 26, 2010 | 16892 Views | 0 Comments

Yellow Flag (Iris Pseudacorus)
Categorized as: Flower
April 26, 2010 | 5212 Views | 2 Comments

White Bird of Paradise, Giant Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia Nicolai)
Categorized as: Flower,Shrub,Tree
April 25, 2010 | 68473 Views | 1 Comments

The 6 - 8' leaves are grey-green and arranged in fans atop the trunks. Plants form clumps of several variably-sized trunks that may grow to 18' in width under optimal conditions. The inflorescence are composed of a dark blue bract, white sepals and bluish-purple "tongue". The entire "bird" can be as large as 7" high by 18" long and is typically held just above the point where the leaf fan emerges from the trunk. Flowers are followed by triangular seed capsules.
The foliage on this plant will typically die back in areas with a hard frost, though the plant itself can be kept alive as far as zone 8a with a good mulch. With additional protection, you may be able to grow it in the ground even further north. Any time it dies back to the ground however, the plant basically has to restart its growth - so flowering is very unlikely this way. Only mature plants typically flower, so you must pot the plant up if you live above zone 9-10.
Butterfly Ginger, White Ginger, Garland Lily (Hedychium Coronarium)
April 25, 2010 | 19473 Views | 3 Comments

Curcuma Elata Ginger (Curcuma Elata)
April 25, 2010 | 19108 Views | 0 Comments

Kahili Ginger (Hedychium Gardnerianum)
April 24, 2010 | 14062 Views | 1 Comments

Their scientific name means "sweet snow". Whether pure white, yellow, pink, or red, their ethereal, orchid-like blossoms all exude a delicious fragrance, never quite matched by bottled perfumes. Showcased in the finest Hawaiian leis, they keep their scent for several weeks. Native to moist tropical forests from sea level into the Himalayas, they spread by stout rhizomes. Attractive leaves flare out in a single plane around the many reedy stems. Hedychium coronarium (White Ginger) tolerates standing in water and thrives in temperature climates with mild winters (above freezing) and warm summers. Hedychium gardnerarium, greenei, flavum, and forestii do well in subtropical beds. Himalayan species are hardy to 28º F by a south-facing wall, with mulch. All other species are tropicals, demanding temperatures over 65º F, high humidity, richly fertile soil, and plenty of water. Where there is any danger of frost, dig up the roots in fall and store in damp soil at 35º to 45º F until spring. Outdoor plants seemingly killed by frost may produce new stalks in early spring. Good in tubs, though they will not grow as tall. Place tubs in a shallow pan of water to keep soil constantly moist, and liquid feed while growing. In winter, cut back on water and let go dormant. Trim off dead flower spikes, but keep old leafy stems to nurture new spring growth until well established. Too much shade and warmth in winter inhibit blooming. Grow from fresh seeds or by division in spring. Bulbuls of Hedychium greenei may sprout plantlets while still attached.