Family Zingiberaceae
Garden origin.

• Upright, thick and fleshy perennial stems bear slender, rich green mini banana-like leaves.
• Tall and slender spikes of heavily scented firey orange flowers are borne in late summer/autumn.
• One of the hardier gingers, easy to grow in full sun with a winter mulch.

Slender rich green foliage is held on fleshy stems, emerging as thick spikes in spring and maturing to a height of up to 2m. The clump’s rhizomatous roots, which smell of ginger if cut, slowly spread and produce more stems each season, making a dense and impressive display of lush foliage. Although closely related to culinary ginger this species is not used in cooking.

At the tips of the stems long stiffly upright orange/gold, heavily scented flowers are produced in late summer/autumn. A large clump will produce numerous flower spikes, emerging as eye-catching buds held in ranks on the stems, maturing to bloom at different times, meaning the clump may bear flowers in succession for well over a month.

The upright habit and outrageously huge flowers of this herbaceous perennial capture the style of the tropics like few other plants. Its tall upright habit make a stunning impact in the sunnier spots of Jungle gardens and exotic planting schemes, contrasting perfectly with softer rounded plants such as Hebe stenophylla, and Pittosporums ‘Tom Thumb’, ‘Bannow Bay’ and ‘Golf Ball’. When used with purple Cannas ‘Tropicanna Black’ or ‘Wyoming’ a spectacular, flamboyant, late-season floral display can be achieved.

Vigorous and easy to grow in southern and coastal gardens in a hot sunny spot in rich soil, it will also thrive in woodland partial shade but may flower less. For best results plant in an area of soil richly cultivated with horse manure, large enough for the clump to spread into. Cover with a thick mulch of straw for winter.

height and spread after 1 – 2 years 1.5m x 70cm
Mature height and spread after 4 – 5 years 2m x 1.5m