HELICONIA STRICTA 'SHARONII'

Heliconia are closely related to gingers, bananas, bird of paradise and traveler's palms. They originate from Central and South America. They multiply rapidly from their fast developing rhizomes. Each stem can flower only once. After that the entire stem deteriorates.

Heliconia stricta is one of the hallmark representatives of the tropical landscape. The upright flower stalk holds the alternating row of large, colorful, boat shaped bracts.

H.s. Sharonii has bright red and orange flowers that are contoured with green. The sepals inside the bracts are dark green with white tip. The plant will flower at the age of one year or older.

Flowering plant
 

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Hardiness Zone – This plant is cold hardy to zone 7-11.
Bloom – Its cluster of white and yellow flower gave name to to this plant: Butterfly ginger.
Winter – Not applicable.
Mature Height - This plant in the landscape can grow to 4-6’ tall and 2-3' if potted.
Sun – Prefers filtered sun to part shade. It can tolerate full sun, however shade is recommended in hot summer climates. As a houseplant it needs bright light and humid conditions.
Water - Keep soil evenly moist.
Fertilizer – Best is water soluble balanced fertilizer and yearly treatment with Magnesium.
Soil – Best in well draining professional mix that is slightly acidic.
Container - This is a good container plant.

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BUTTERFLY GINGER
Hedycium Dr Moy

This is the only butterfly ginger in production that has variegated leaves. In the landscape in warm climate it can grow 4-6' tall. The butter yellow and white flowers grow in clusters at the tip of the shoots.
This plant prefers light shade, filtered sun but it can tolerate full sun when established.

Flowering plant
 

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Hardiness Zone – This plant is cold hardy to zone 7-11.
Bloom – Its cluster of white and yellow flower gave name to to this plant: Butterfly ginger.
Winter – Not applicable.
Mature Height - This plant in the landscape can grow to 4-6’ tall and 2-3' if potted.
Sun – Prefers filtered sun to part shade. It can tolerate full sun, however shade is recommended in hot summer climates. As a houseplant it needs bright light and humid conditions.
Water - Keep soil evenly moist.
Fertilizer – Best is water soluble balanced fertilizer and yearly treatment with Magnesium.
Soil – Best in well draining professional mix that is slightly acidic.
Container - This is a good container plant.

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MIDNIGHT GINGER
Zingiber malayensis

The Midnight Ginger is a herbaceous tropical perennial. It has glossy dark brown to nearly black foliage. This plant has a compact growing habit to a maximum height of about a foot tall.
It blooms with a sulfur yellow basal inflorescence that fades to a pale pink.
In warm climates as a landscape plant it will need a shady spot. Its dark foliage shows best when accompanied by light colored or silver leafed plants.
If potted, it is best suited for a 3 gallon pot.

Young plant
 

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Hardiness Zone – 8 – 11. Best growing temperature is 65-95˚ Fahrenheit.
Bloom – Bright sulfur yellow that fades to pink.
Winter - Not applicable.
Mature Height - This plant will grow to 12-16” tall.
Sun – This plant prefers shade.
Water - Keep soil evenly moist.
Fertilizer – Best is water soluble balanced fertilizer. This plant is a medium feeder.
Soil – Best in well draining professional mix.
Container - This is an excellent container plant.

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PEACOCK GINGER – JUNGLE GOLD
Cornukaempferia aurantifolia 'Jungle Gold'

This Southeast Asia native Ginger is a plant to brighten a shaded spot in the garden while it is an excellent indoor plant as well. Jungle Gold has velvety dark green leaves with bold silver markings on the upper surface and a burgundy-silver lower surface. It blooms throughout the growing season with bright gold-and-red flowers.

Young plant
 

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Hardiness Zone - 8-10. Naturally dormant for the winter.
Bloom – Golden yellow and with red.
Winter – In colder climate the rhizome has to over winter indoors.
Mature Height - This plant will grow to 12” tall
Sun – This plant does well in full to partial shade with minimal direct sunlight.
Water - Keep soil evenly moist.
Fertilizer – Use balanced fertilizer. The plant is a medium feeder.
Soil – Use slightly acidic, well draining professional soil mix.
Container - This is an excellent container plant.

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SHAMPOO GINGER
Zingiber zerumbet

The Shampoo Ginger is a tall upright plant with long narrow leaves. It has a strong clumping habit. It is very fast growing and easy to grow.
The “flower” can last up to 6 months. The cone contains a clear liquid that is an excellent natural hair conditioner.

Mature plant
 

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Hardiness Zone – This plant is cold hardy to zone 7.
Bloom – It has cone shaped bracts that change color from green to red. After the cone starts to turn red, tiny yellow flowers appear.
Winter - Dormant.
Mature Height - This plant in the landscape can grow to 5-7’ tall and 2-3' if potted.
Sun – Prefers full sun to part shade. Afternoon shade is recommended in hot summer climates. As a houseplant it needs bright light and humid conditions.
Water - Keep soil evenly moist.
Fertilizer – Best is water soluble balanced fertilizer and yearly treatment with Magnesium.
Soil – Best in well draining professional mix that is slightly acidic.
Container - This is a good container plant.

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SHELL GINGER

Alpinia zerumbet is native to eastern Asia. In tropical conditions it can grow to 8-11’ tall and 3-4’ tall, as a house plant.
 

Flower
 

Seed Pods
 

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Hardiness Zone – 8 – 11. Best growing temperature is 65-95˚Fahrenheit.
Bloom – Large cluster of white flowers with pink tips and red and yellow throats.
Winter - Not Applicable.
Mature Height - This plant will grow to 6-8’ tall.
Sun – Prefers full sun to part shade. Afternoon shade is recommended in hot summer climates. As a houseplant it need bright light and humid conditions.
Water - Keep soil evenly moist.
Fertilizer – Best is water soluble balanced fertilizer and yearly treatment with Magnesium.
Soil – Best in well draining professional mix that is slightly acidic.
Container - This is a good container plant.

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