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A large growing deciduous species from northeastern India, Nepal and Bhutan. It might survive outdoors when dormant, but
I am still struggling to get it to grow in a pot with any vigour, so I'm not ready to try anything more adventurous yet. It has grown for me over many years but struggles with low summer temperatures and has never flowered. I got it from Aloha Tropicals in California and their description says: "A very hardy ginger species from the Himalayas/India that can withstand temperatures to almost freexing, growing 5' tall, inflorescens is from the apical portion of the stem which is stout and strong, each flower can last over a three week period, flowers are broad, yellow tipped. densely spotted, deepbrown, seed capsules are cylindrical and turn red when ripe. Super Hardy!" Gingerwood Nursery say: "Zingiber clarkei is one of the few terminal blooming Zingiber species in cultivation. In the wild more and more species are being discovered and published with this habit but it is still quite rare in cultivated species. Some such as Zingiber junceum and Zingiber niveumare known to occasionally produced both basal (from the ground) and terminal (on top of regular stems) blooms. The Gingerwood Nursery introduction Zingiber zerumbet ‘Twice as Nice’ is the only cultivar grown that consistently does both. Zingiber clarkei has been in cultivation for many years but has never been easily available. It comes from India and has proven to be an easy to grow and reliable species. The plants do best in medium sun and have very nice textured foliage. In mid summer they produce a pendant inflorescence on top of the beautiful stems. The flowers are a unique yellow and brick red combination. It is a rare that such a unique species is also one of the easiest. Grows to 4 feet in medium sun. Hardy in Zone 8 and above." |
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| 21st December 2007 | ||
