Family
Zingiberaceae
Botanical Name
CURCUMA alismatifolia 'Siam Violet'
Plant Common Name
Hidden Ginger, Siam Tulip, Siam Violet Ginger
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
With an upright flower of pink-violet, the Siam tulip is acutually a deciduous perennial from the warm tropics. A ginger, selection 'Siam Violet' flowers from late spring into early summer. A short stem rises with a overlapping clusters of pink-violet bracts (modified leaves) that last for several weeks. The typically blue-green foliage is somewhat pleated and can partially hide the flower stems.
This ginger is best grown with high humidity, partial sun to partial shade, and in a sandy loam rich in organic matter. It makes a nice specimen for tropical gardens but will still go dormant in the cool winter or dry season. In cool climates it may be planted outside, but its rhizomes must be dug and stored for the winter. In non-tropical areas the flowering is delayed until summer and early fall.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 9
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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
2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m
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Width
2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m
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Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer
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Native To
Southeastern Asia
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Average
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Soil type
Loam, Sand
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Growth Rate
Medium
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Clump-Forming
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Pink, Fuchsia, Violet
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Blue Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Blue Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Blue Green
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
Yes
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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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
Matte
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Bedding Plant, Container, Cutflower, 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