Description

Family Zingiberaceae
Originating from Bhutan.

• Unique, herbaceous dark glossy green foliage with red undersides.
• Distinctive orange/peach flowers.
• One of the hardier gingers in most of the UK if covered with straw for winter.

Glossy rich green foliage adorns this herbaceous perennial, held on thick green stems flushed with burgundy, while newer growth displays a stronger red coloration. The leaves are a deep lustrous glossy green with burgundy-red undersides, a unique feature among gingers. The Red Ginger captures the essence of the tropics like few other plants, happy in full sun and sheltered coastal positions, while also adapting well to woodland conditions, making it a versatile addition to woodland, jungle, and exotic planting schemes.

At the tips of the Red Ginger’s stems, large orangey/peach-coloured flowers bloom in an elegant butterfly-like form, appearing in late summer/autumn. Each spike of flowers boasts numerous individual blooms that open gradually in succession, resulting in a long flowering period that can extend for several weeks. The sturdy stems of this species generally support themselves in most garden situations, seldom requiring staking. They emerge from a thick fleshy root called a rhizome, which, if cut, releases a ginger-like aroma similar to its close family member, the culinary ginger. However, it’s worth noting that H. greenii is not known to be edible.

Red Ginger is easy to grow and is considered one of the hardier species. Happy in sun or partially shaded areas, its most vigorous growth is achieved in soil cultivated with horse manure. For winter protection, it is advisable to cover the roots with a thick mulch of straw or in colder northern gardens lift the plant in early winter and replant the following season.

Height and spread after 2 – 5 years 1.5m x 1.5m