Alpinia zerumbet 'Variegata' (Variegated Shell Ginger)
Botanical Information
| Family | Zingiberaceae |
| Genus | Alpinia |
| Species | zerumbet |
| Cultivar | 'Variegata' |
| Category | Perennials, Tropicals |
| Origin | Eastern Asia for the species. |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 8 - 10 |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | Requires cold season protection under glass. |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H1c-H5 |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Temperature (°C) | -15 - 5 |
| Temperature (°F) | 5 - 41 |
| Height | 0.6 - 1.2 m |
| Spread | 0.6 - 1.2 m |
| Growth | Medium |
| Flowering Period | June, July, August |
Description and Growing Information
| General Description | A plant that grows in upright clumps which has a ginger-like aroma. |
| Cultivation | Prefers full sun to part shade with moist soil. Prune as needed to control size. |
| Notable Specimens | Centennial Conservatory, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida, United States of America. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description | Flower buds resemble seashells. |
| Leaf Description | Lance-shaped, about 60 cm long and 13 cm wide. |
| Flower Description | Flowers are very fragrant but won’t emerge until the second year. Unlike other ginger plants, flowers grow at the end of long stems instead of directly from plant rhizomes. |
| Colour Description | Flowers are white to pink, with yellow inside lips and red throat. Leaves are dark green with varied yellow stripes. |
| Texture Description | Flower buds are waxy. |
Photographs
Alpinia zerumbet 'Variegata', form. Centennial Conservatory, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
Alpinia zerumbet 'Variegata', leaf. Centennial Conservatory, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
Alpinia zerumbet 'Variegata', spring. Centennial Conservatory, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
Alpinia zerumbet 'Variegata', leaf. Centennial Conservatory, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
Alpinia zerumbet 'Variegata', leaf. Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida, United States of America
Alpinia zerumbet 'Variegata', form. Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida, United States of America