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**This is the Plant Reference area of the Wild Ginger Farm website. **
Not all plants listed on this page are available for sale at this time.
Please visit our mail order catalog to view currently available plants.
Some plants are available exclusively at our retail nursery. |
Hardy gingers have showy, tropical foliage and beautiful, often fragrant, flowers. They are members of the true ginger family (Zingiberaceae) and have rhizomes, some of which are used as a spice as well as medicinally. They can be grown in temperate gardens if given a warm sheltered location and plentiful water and fertilizer during the growing season. Because they originate in areas with dry winter conditions, their dormant rhizomes are susceptable to rot in sodden winter soil and they do best when grown in well-drained soil. They can also be easily lifted and stored during the winter months and replanted in spring. Many emerge from dormancy in late spring and flower late in the growing season. For those who want to learn more about this fascinating group of plants, we recommend Hardy Gingers including Hedychium, Roscoea, and Zingiber by T. M. E. Branney (Timber Press 2005).
| | | | | There are three known species of Cautleya including the two described below as well as C. cathcartii. Our plant might be one of these, although we haven't been able to determine which one, or it might be a hybrid. Whatever it's parentage, it is a most beautiful plant. The leaves are dark green on the front and dark red on the back and are gorgeous when backlit by the sun. The spikes of golden flowers also feature red bracts, giving the flowering stalk a two tone look. This plant is not a heat lover and needs to be grown in part shade in fertile, moist but well-drained soil. All species of Cautleya are known to be hardy from 5 - 15 degrees F. |
| | | | | This is a delicate plant with narrow, arching leaves to 12” long spikes of yellow flowers in summer. 30 x 12" The rhizome goes completely dormant in winter and does not emerge until the soil warms in late spring. Grow in cool sun to part shade in fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Hardy to 15 degrees F. It is found in moist forests up to 10,000 ft in the Himalayas. It also grows as an epiphyte on trees. Zingiberaceae
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| | | | | Golden yellow flower spikes with red bracts in summer and narrow green leaves. 24 x 12". The rhizome goes completely dormant in winter and emerges when the soil warms in late spring. Grow in cool sun to part shade in fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Hardy to 15 degrees F. Found in forests in the Himalayas from Tibet westward into Western China. It also grows as an epiphyte on trees. Zingiberaceae |
| | | Pride of Burma | | A beautiful plant with dramatic arching, green leaves to 18” long and an interesting flower structure with circular, flaring bracts in shades of orange that last from summer to fall. 24” tall. Best grown in pots in the temperate garden where it can be kept just moist during the wet winter months. The rhizome goes completely dormant in winter and emerges in late spring. Should be grown in sun to part shade in fertile, moist but well well-drained soil. Hardy to 15 degrees F if protected from winter wet. Zingiberaceae
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| 'White Wonder' | | | | Long, ribbed, bright green leaves to 2-3 feet tall and white flower bracts that look like white pine cones in summer. Foliage emerges in late spring. Curcuma rhizomes are the source of turmeric and also used as a dye and medicinally in Asia. Grow in sun to part shade in fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Hardy to 10 degrees F. Zingiberaceae |
| | | Golden Dancing Girls | Hanging golden orange flower clusters in late season on stems with green lance shaped leaves to 20”. Grow in a warm spot in light shade in fertile, well-drained, moist soil. Lovely in containers. Hardy to 15 degrees F and perhaps lower if well mulched. Found in moist forests in Asia at elevations to 4300 ft. Zingiberaceae |
| | | Garland Flower | Large, dramatic pointed leaves and pine cone shaped flower buds from which extremely fragrant, white flowers with yellow throats appear in late summer. Can grow to 6 feet in height. Grow in sun to bright shade in fertile, moist soil. Deciduous in the temperate garden. Reported to be hardy to 5 degrees F if mulched. Zingiberaceae |
| (syn. H. gardenerianum) | | | Kahili Ginger | This showy subtropical plant is prized by temperate gardeners for its large, lance shaped green leaves and up to 12” fragrant, yellow flower clusters in late season. 3-5’ x 3’ Grow in sun to bright shade, fertile, moist soil. Deciduous in the temperate garden. Native to the Himalayas. Hardy to 15 degrees F. Zingiberaceae This species is considered invasive in Hawaii, New Zealand, South Africa and certain other locations but not in temperate North America. Gardeners in subtropical and tropical locations should exercise caution in growing this plant in a container or not at all. Not available to Hawaii.
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| (syn. H. greenei) | | | Red Butterfly Ginger | This butterfly ginger has beautiful green and maroon colored foliage and produces fragrant, salmon-red, butterfly shaped flowers in late summer. 36-48" tall and wide. Best flowering is achieved when given warm temperatures, plenty of light with protection from the hottest sun, ample fertilizer and plenty of water. It can even be grown in shallow water to ensure that it's water needs are met. Deciduous in cool winter region. It is native to the Himalayan foothills to 5,000 feet and has been found to be hardy to about 15 degrees F. Zingiberaceae |
| | | | | A lovely cultivar with 10-15” fragrant, pink flower clusters above large, lance-shaped. It can reach 4’ tall x 2’ wide. Best grown in partial shade in fertile, moist soil. Deciduous. Hardy to 15 degrees F if mulched. Zingiberaceae
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Wild Ginger Farm
© Red and green foliage and red flower bracts of Cautleya species 
© Cautleya flower and leaf detail
Photo used with permission 
Photo used with permission 
Photo used with permission 
Photo used with permission
Photo used with permission
Photo used with permission
Photo used with permission
Photo used with permission