A: Ginger is famous for its culinary and
medicinal uses, and many species are also strikingly beautiful, making them perfect
centerpieces for tropical gardens or potted plant collections, especially in
shaded spots. Here are a few of our favorite cultivars.
1. Yellow Butterfly Ginger
Hedychium flavum
x coronarium - Yellow Butterfly Ginger, Nardo Ginger Lily - rare hybrid
of White Butterfly ginger we mentioned earlier
(https://t.me/TopTropicals/710), it is more vigorous and tall than its parent. With attractive long green
leaves with a slight fuzziness, this ginger has open long spikes of pastel
yellow flowers with a beautiful heady aroma. Exquisitely fragrant!
2. Variegated Spiral Ginger
Costus
arabicus (amazonicus) variegata - Variegated Spiral Ginger - is a tropical stunner
originally from South America but adored in Hawaii and Florida. This ginger's
eye-catching, spiraling stems are streaked with striking white variegation,
topped with elegant pure white flowers with yellow centers. The pure white
blooms are truly a piece of art! Perfect for shade gardens, this plant thrives
in moist soil and loves plenty of water. If you're looking to add a bit of
drama and elegance to your garden, this beauty is a must-have!
3. Pine Cone (Shampoo) Ginger
Zingiber
Zerumbet - Pine Cone Ginger, Shampoo Ginger - is probably the most popular one.
All parts of this ginger are spicy fragrant. The cone shaped flowers are long
lasting and useful for cut flower arrangements. It is in fact used as a
shampoo in Asia and Hawaii, and as an ingredient in several commercial shampoos!
Pinecone ginger is considered a "canoe plant", that is, a plant introduced
throughout the Pacific by the ancient Polynesian settlers.
4. Spiral Raspberry Ginger
Costus
vargasii - Spiral Ginger Raspberry Yogurt - The name refers to the colorful
raspberry colored stem, but that's not the only colorful thing about it: the leaves
are dark green, long and glossy with velvety deep purple undersides. The
inflorescence is a vivid red with tight bracts and bold yellow flowers. The
butterflies love to drink the nectar from the flowers. Large vigorous ginger,
growing up to 5-6 ft tall.
5. Cameroon Costus African Princess
Costus
fissiligulatus - African Princess, Cameroon Costus - from Gabon in West Africa. It
has a dazzling pink trumpet flower with a yellow throat. It is very
floriferous with an inflorescence of numerous flower buds on a shortish plant of 3-4
ft that stands very erect. It is an easy grower.
6. Red Button Ginger (French Kiss)
Costus spicatus x
woodsonii - Red Button Ginger, French Kiss: this ginger's inflorescence
resembles a cluster of bright red buttons, making it a standout in tropical
gardens.
7. White Butterfly Ginger
Hedychium
coronarium - White Butterfly Ginger is a must for every Southern garden. It is
famous for its intense, sweet scent. Symbol of Hawaiian Paradise along with
Plumeria and Jasmine. It is popular in Hawaii and the Pacific Islands for leis
and hair adornments and bears fragrant, butterfly-resembling flowers in
summer. It has long lasting cut flowers, ideal for scenting the home. Can survive
light freezes, with tops regrowing in the spring. Takes sun or shade.
8. Laos Silver Stripe Peacock Ginger
Kaempferia
angustifolia - Laos Silver Stripe is one of the most beautiful of all the
Kaempferia Peacock Ginger cultivars. It is one of the large types. The plant has
boldly striped leaves of green and silver. The flowers are orchid shaped white
and purple. Small, compact perennial, great for container culture. This hard
to find variety is a must for every Ginger collector.
