James Burghardt
Family
Zingiberaceae
Botanical Name
ALPINIA zerumbet 'Variegata'
Plant Common Name
Golden Lotus, Shell Ginger, Variegated Shell Ginger
General Description
Fragrant in all its parts, variegated shell ginger is a large, clump-forming, evergreen perennial native to tropical Asia. Pendulous clusters of waxy, pearly, pinkish white flowers with yellow interiors appear atop tall, strong, large-leaved stems in spring and summer. The leaves of the cultivar 'Variegata' are strikingly marked with yellow and green stripes and blotches. The stems die to the ground in the colder part of its hardiness range, but regrow from thick rhizomes in spring.
Variegated shell ginger needs a fertile, moist, sandy loam, in partial sun to partial shade. Too much sun or dry soil results in curling leaves or scrawny growth; deep shade results in a loss of yellow in the foliage. It makes an excellent tropical understory plant, particularly as a contrasting accent plant around dark green or dark red foliaged plants. Its slightly smaller mature size allows it to work as a houseplant. Cut off entire stems and use as a dynamic cutflower filler.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 5
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USDA Hardiness Zone
8 - 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
5'-8' / 1.5m - 2.4m
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Width
4'-6' / 1.2m - 1.8m
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Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
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Native To
Southeastern Asia, India, Melanesia, Micronesia
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White, Light Pink
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Flower Color Modifier
Multi-Color
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Yellow, Green, Dark Green, Light Yellow
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Foliage Color (Spring) Modifier
Variegated, Striped/Striated
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Yellow, Green, Dark Green, Light Yellow
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Foliage Color (Summer) Modifier
Variegated, Striped/Striated
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Yellow, Green, Dark Green, Light Yellow
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Foliage Color (Fall) Modifier
Variegated, Striped/Striated
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Yellow, Green, Dark Green, Light Yellow
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Foliage Color (Winter) Modifier
Variegated, Striped/Striated
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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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
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Coarse
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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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, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Tropical
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Self-Sowing
No