Alpinia pumila

Thanks to ginger guru Tom Wood for telling us about Alpinia pumila which has become one of our favorite hardy gingers. Alpinia pumila hails from the Chinese provinces of Guangdong, Guangxi, Hunan, and Yunnan where it can be found in mountain valleys at 1,600'-3,600' elevation. Alpinia pumila makes a diminutive, slowly stoloniferous, tropical-looking groundcover with 6" long x 3" wide green leaves highlighted by broad silver streaks. The cardamom-scented leaves (evergreen in mild climates) are held at a low, nearly horizontal angle to the ground. As if you need more, watch for the 1" tall basal flower spikes of bright red in April-May...simply charming for deep shady areas...both the alpinia and Tom.