Gerald L. Klingaman
Family
Zingiberaceae
Botanical Name
ALPINIA purpurata
Plant Common Name
Jungle Queen, Red Ginger
General Description
Native to the South Pacific, this large evergreen perennial bears showy conical clusters of brilliant red flower bracts and small white true flowers atop tall stems whenever temperatures are warm and soil moist. The blooms contrast beautifully with the large, lance shaped, medium green leaves. The stems die to the ground in the colder part of its hardiness range, but regrow from thick ginger-scented rhizomes in spring.
After the primary flower fades, smaller, side flowers appear from the base of the "mother" flower. Numerous and collectively larger than the first singular flower, their weight can cause the stems to arch and reach the soil. Small plantlets develop in this mass of secondary flowers and will take root, eventually creating a slowly spreading mass of plants.
Red ginger excels in some shade, along with moist, well drained, humus rich soil. Plant outdoors in dappled sun where hardy, or maintain in a container as a large tropical houseplant. Both red and pink flowering variations naturally occur. The flowers and foliage are exceptional and long lasting if cut and placed in a vase of fresh water that is changed daily.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 10
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USDA Hardiness Zone
9 - 15
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Tender Perennial
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Sun Exposure
Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
6'-12' / 1.8m - 3.7m
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Width
2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m
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Bloom Time
Indeterminate
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Native To
Melanesia, Micronesia, Polynesia
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White, Red, Pink
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Dark Green
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
Yes
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
Yes
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Bold
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Container, Cutflower, Feature Plant, Foundation, Mixed Border, Tropical
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Self-Sowing
Yes