The next ginger I plan to try is the one called 'Shampoo Ginger' with red blossoms. I've forgotten the botanical name.

Two that I have that I really enjoy are Curcuma (Hidden ginger) and Alpinia Zerumbet 'Variegata' or variegated shell ginger.

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For an nice edging, cardamon ginger is good. I've never seen it bloom but it has a terrific fragrance when you stroke the leaves, like an expensive Christmas popourri someone once gave me.

There are many other Hedychiums besides the white butterfly ginger. I haven't tried one, yet.

Nell

My local nursery guy mentioned Hidden Ginger. He says that he gets it in from time to time so I can probably pick that one up. Thanks Nell.

The biggest problem I have had with the hedychium varieties is that they bloom so late in the fall for me that I only get a very short bloom time from them before frost takes them out--this even when they were grown in full sun in a raised bed. The standard white Hedychium coronarium was the first one that I tried. Then I ditched it after its short lived bloom cycle and have a Dr. Moy with its orange colored blooms. It similarly just blooms a short period of time before being zapped by frost but at least its variegated foliage is one offsetting attribute.

I grow Hedychium 'Flaming Torch', which blooms in Sept for me. It's a good companion for Lespedeza 'White Fountains', which blooms at the same time and is a contrast in textures, the small white blooms arching out and mingling with the salmon-colored torches and bolder foliage of the ginger.

Here is a link that might be useful: Hedychium 'Flaming Torch'

Spazzycat, where do you live or what gardening zone are you in? What about a trade of some Dr. Moy for some Flaming Torch later in the season once it starts coming up?

Anyone else up for a trade for gingers that would be hardy in zone 7?

nckvilledudes, I live in Chapel Hill, so not far from you. Sure, I'm up for a trade. My ginger is a monster and regularly needs shovel-pruning along its edges to keep it in check. Remind me when you get ready and we'll set something up.

I couldn't tell you the botanicals on the gingers I have, but I have a boat load of them.

Parrot ginger is one of my favorites, along with the butterfly, cardamon, and hidden gingers. I also have shell ginger, both variegated and plain green, which both bloom. I have the RED spiral ginger, the Siam tulip ginger, pine cone ginger,Dancing Lady, Rainbow, Black ginger called "Midnight", African ginger, which comes in yellow or pink blooms, and a new one which I have not seen bloom yet, named 'Jewel of Burma".

There are some which are native to Australia which I want to add to my collection this year, but they grow quite large, and I need to delete something to make room for them. Maybe some of this shell ginger.

My gingers start to bloom in late spring, and most bloom several months. What is with that?

Janie

Also, I have grown cardamon for several years and have never seen it bloom. I am not sure it does bloom. It is easily propagated by division.

Actually, it MUST be divided regularly, or it will take over! LOL

Janie

Your climate is several zones warmer than the folks whose gingers don't bloom earlier, Janie. Spring starts sooner for you and your gingers don't die to the ground. Mine do. At about 25 degrees, even cardamon ginger gives it up.

The first year I planted Siam Ginger, I planted it in a kind of damp spot and never saw it again. Now I plant Curcumas on a well drained slope with protection of live oaks and they still faint and fall over at the first hint of frost, but they come back, late spring and bloom, August.

Shell ginger (Alpinia) has never bloomed here at all, but I grow it for the interesting foliage. I kept some in the greenhouse this winter to see if they could get an earlier start and maybe bloom. We'll see. I wonder if the one the dog chewed will do better for it?

Siam Ginger and Hidden Ginger are Curcumas.
Shampoo Ginger and Pinecone Ginger are Zingibers, the same family as culinary ginger, I think.
I think Dancing Ladies are Globba.
Kaempferias are the Peacock Gingers.
Cardamomum (cardamon ginger) does bloom, just not here.
There are lots of other tropical gingers.
Nell

All the gingers except for the shell and cardamon die to the ground, and come back in the spring. I used to be surprised to see them, but have grown to expect them- sort of. Even the shell and cardamon get to looking pretty ratty if we have any freezing temps at all.

I grow my gingers in the shade, and with the clay soil we have, drainage can be an issue. I have several growing under and around a pecan tree, and that solves a lot of problems.

None are out of the ground yet, but I am looking for them any day.

Janie

Spazzycat, will contact you when it starts coming up. Dr. Moy was purchased from that place in Sanford that rhymes with Big Doomers a couple of years ago.

I see you don't have your email showing on your members page. Email me at the email addy on my members page and I will have a means to get up with you later in the season.

Gingers do really well for me in Louisiana. I love the hedychiums. I'm such a sucker for fragrance that planting hedychiums is a no-brainer for me. They smell like gardenias and start blooming in July in my area.

I would like to try to get some Parrott ginger from someone.and Any others. I live in the Houston area.
Can call me at 281-481-2114
Joan