Curcuma zedoaria

This spectacular ginger garners all the attention on our open house days...especially since it has survived 0 degrees F in our garden. The large, tropical-looking green leaves (2' long x 5" wide) have a dramatic, wide, purple-red stripe down their centers. As the leaves emerge, so do the flowers, on 1' scapes resembling an oversized '60s psychedelic red-and-yellow pinecone. Each plant makes a clump to 3' (taller in warmer climates) x 2-3' wide. Remember that curcumas do not awaken from dormancy until June - they are not dead. Rumor has it that chanting near dormant plants with lava lamps for illumination speeds the awakening process, although this has not been scientifically confirmed.