Alpinia purpurata is extremely difficult to grow outside of zone 10. It languishes greatly during winter months, even if protected. It is difficult to grow even in a container in a heated greenhouse during my zone 9 winter. The blooms, when container grown, have never reach the true size of the bloom where grown in situ and are ugly looking. Temperatures below 50, even for a few hours, can kill it plus it needs constant high humidity. I've been trying to grow this ginger for years and it has always disappointed me. With that said, there are several US internet nurseries that sell this alpinia. Gardino's in Florida(www.rareflora.com), Aloha Tropicals in CA, both sell these gingers and might ship to Canada. Most US nurseries have stopped selling this alpinia as it even struggles for survival in deep south Florida.

Steve

Perhaps you could try Hedychium gardnerianum which has red flowers in the fall and is much hardier than the Alpina. The plant is of the same general habit as the Alpina but much easier to grow.