The Galveston County Master Gardener's Association plant sale earlier this month featured some incredible perennials. And even though we have a VERY small yard, we managed to return with a bunch of new plants. At last year's sale we purchased a couple of Tulip Gingers. They did so well we decided to try some more - 7 more. As a result, we now have a rather extensive ginger collection in the long, narrow bed running along the alley side of our house.
This bed is drip irrigated and receives some winter protection from the house. But the light situation is tricky. One end gets much more light than the other and many plants we've tried in this sunnier location suffer from over-exposure/heat/drought. The whole thing is a giant experiment (just like the rest of the yard) so we'll just have to see what happens. I know it doesn't look like much now but hopefully by next spring/summer it will be pretty cool.
Here are descriptions of our new additions provided by Heidi Sheesley from Treesearch Farms, along with links to images of each.
Tulip Gingers have narrow leaves that closely resemble large tulip foliage with an elegantly erect flower that superficially resembles a tulip in bloom. Curcumas are day-length sensitive, and will go dormant in November. They will return in May as soon as the temps heat up for another fabulous display. 18” - 24” tall, slowly multiply into a beautiful clumps.
Curcuma alismatifolia ‘Kimono Deep Rose’ – Kimono Deep Rose Siam Tulip Fabulous ginger with an elegantly erect, deep fuschia-pink flower, will grow in full to part sun and will bloom throughout the summer months. The flower is long-lasting and makes a wonderful cut flower.
Curcuma alismatifolia ‘Pink’ – Pink Siam Tulip Ginger A tulip from Thailand? Almost! This fabulous ginger has stiff, narrow leaves that closely resemble large tulip foliage, and an elegantly erect, soft pink flower that superficially resembles a tulip in bloom. This ginger will grow in full to part sun and will bloom throughout the summer months. The flower is long-lasting and makes a wonderful cut flower. Curcumas are day-length sensitive, and will go dormant in November. They will return in May as soon as the temps heat up for another fabulous display. 18”-24” tall, slowly multiplies into a beautiful clump.
Curcuma alismatifolia ‘Tropical Snow’ – Tropical Snow Siam Tulip Ginger Inflorescence is a spike of snow white bracts with green tips. Bright purple flowers can be found deep within the bracts. This ginger will grow in full to part sun and will bloom throughout the summer months. The bloom is longlasting and makes a wonderful cut flower.
Curcuma sparangifolia ‘Purple Garden’ – Purple Garden Ginger Stunning inflorescence is a spike of hot fuschia-pink bracts that are tipped in warm chocolate. Purple and white flowers can be found deep within the bracts. This ginger will grow in full to part sun and will bloom throughout the summer months. The bloom is long-lasting and makes a wonderful cut flower.
Curcuma x ‘Emerald Chocozebra’ – Emerald Chocozebra Siam Tulip Ginger This true collector species has the same fabulous foliage of the species, but the inflorescence is a spike of dramatic apple green bracts with chocolate-bronze stripes at the base of the bracts and a dash of chocolate in the throat. Lavender flowers can be found deep within the bracts. The bract spike is long-lasting and makes a wonderful cut flower. Curcumas are day-length sensitive, and will go dormant in November. They will return in May as soon as the temps heat up for another fabulous display. 18”-24” tall, slowly multiplies into a beautiful clump.
Curcuma cordata x curcuma alismatifolia – Laddawan Ginger Excellent as a focal plant in the landscape or in containers. Eye-catching, long lasting 18”-24” flower stalks with pink bracts and yellow flowers in late summer and fall. Makes a long-lasting cut flower. Pleated, lance shaped foliage averages 2’-3’ tall. Prefers sun to light shade & a moist, well-drained soil.
Curcuma roscoeana ‘Potnichar Orange’ – Potnichar Orange Ginger Showy, long-stemmed flower cone. The bracts have a bright yellow base deepening to hot tropical orange at the tips. Spectacular when planted in masses. This ginger will grow in filtered sun or bright shade and will bloom throughout the summer months. The bloom is long-lasting and makes a wonderful cut flower.
I know - they're planted too close together but we'll cross that bridge when we get there...
