Zingibers
From TejasTropicals Articles
Zingibers are one of my favorite gingers. They possess fabulous inflorescences shaped like cones. These cones are formed at the base of the foliage (basal) and are usually red, yellow, orange or green. The foliage is generally upright and says “Tropical.”
Many Zingibers have a natural dormancy in late fall. Since they are tropical, this dormancy is due to a dry season in their natural habitat, but serves as a zone extender in more temperate climates. If your north of zone 8, dig them up in late fall and allow them to remain dry during the winter.
Zingibers like rich, well drained soil and partial shade to partial sun. I fertilize them with a composted cow manure, fish emulsion, blood and bone meal. We are currently growing about 35 different Zingiber species with the goal of producing all know species that are naturally dormant. My absolute favorite ginger is Z. collinsii ‘Silver Streak’! It has 3 foot stems with leaves that are dark green with silver stripes running from midrib outward. The underside is purple. To top it off the basal inflorescences are orange to red and resemble red hot pokers. Simply marvelous! It grows outside in zone 8 and likes light shade.
Z. newmanii ‘Red Frogs’ is another favorite with bright red cones that lay on the ground. I guess somebody thinks they resemble very large red frogs. These cones will spill over the side of a container and look tremendous when contrasted against a color glazed pot.
Z. spectabile is commonly referred to as the beehive ginger because of the large inflorescences. It grows to 7 feet in our garden and does well in large containers. It doesn’t have natural dormancy but can survive most zone 8 winters. I’ll get back to you on this last winter (2009-2010)! The different cultivars are beautiful and well worth trying in your garden. The recent introduction ‘Glowing Orb’ has spectacularly large flowers that seem to “glow” orange.
If you’re looking for a tropical touch, look no further than the Zingibers.