[NJblue]

Does anyone have any experience with variegated ginger in their landscaping? It is readily available in the area and from my online research, it appears to be at least root hardy here. We like it because of its tropical appearance. However, I have concerns about its ultimate size. I see pictures of it being 6 feet tall which is much too high for the appication I am looking for. I'm wondering if it only gets to that height in warmer climates where it does not die back in the winter. Anybody have it? How big does it get? Any drawbacks?

[batman911]

I have red ginger in my yard in Hawaii that gets to at least 10 ft tall. I believe it is because it is in a shaded area that only gets sun in mid day. Ginger will seek the sun. The ginger is see planted in full sun is usually much shorter (4-5 FT).

[Serenoa]

Variegated ginger is root hardy for me all the way up here in north central Alabama (it's already coming up), so you should have no problems down there. Mine only grows to about 3ft, but I'm pretty sure it will grow much taller in a longer growing season. I don't believe it ever grows as tall as most of the non-variegated gingers, though.....probably only to 5 or 6ft. There are dwarf varieties also, but i've never seen them for sale up here. But perhaps that is what you should try to find.

[borjo]

I've had a 3' plant for 7 years. Thrives in the north facing shade next to my house. It will expand so don't put it too close to the house. It will also freeze but will come back. Love the texture and contrast to the other plants.

[NJblue]

Originally Posted by borjo

I've had a 3' plant for 7 years. Thrives in the north facing shade next to my house. It will expand so don't put it too close to the house. It will also freeze but will come back. Love the texture and contrast to the other plants.

Do you know if the variety that you have is the standard stuff like they have at Home Depot or Lowes?

[borjo]

Probably, that's where I bought a lot of my stuff as well as at Fairfield Farms. Don't remember it being any special variety.

[gmcneill]

The plant is also called shell ginger bc of the shape of it's flower when in bloom. The plant can require some routine maintenance to cut out the brown stalks when they die off during year-round sub-tropical season here in SoFla. Glad to learn that the plant does well in TV, despite the cold.