James Burghardt
Family
Zingiberaceae
Botanical Name
CURCUMA petiolata 'Emperor'
Plant Common Name
Emperor Ginger, Queen Lily
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
One of the hardier Curcuma species, queen ginger is a deciduous ornamental that can survive chilling temperatures to zone 7. This native of Burma and Malaysia offers a tropical look to cooler regions and is surprisingly easy to grow.
The broad showy leaves of queen ginger are rich green and ribbed with parallel pleats. These rise to from a neat upright clump that will spread over time via creeping rhizomes. In summer it produces showy columns of yellow and white flowers lined with white and pink bracts (petal-like leaves). The flower columns are often described as cone-like.
Like most Curcuma this species prefers bright indirect light and fertile but well-drained soil. Good draining soil is especially needed during moist winters because the rhizomes of dormant plants are prone to rot. Plants can be divided in fall or spring. Queen ginger is late to emerge from dormancy, so don't lose hope if it is slow to grow in spring.
This is an ideal plant for wooded gardens or sheltered foundation plantings. Queen ginger is also amenable to containers.
Characteristics
-
AHS Heat Zone
12 - 10
-
USDA Hardiness Zone
7 - 10
-
Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
-
Plant Type
Tender Perennial
-
Sun Exposure
Partial Sun
-
Height
18"-24" / 45.7cm - 61.0cm
-
Width
24"-28" / 61.0cm - 71.1cm
-
Bloom Time
Indeterminate
-
Native To
Southern Asia, India, China, Melanesia, Micronesia, Australia
Growing Conditions
-
Soil pH
Neutral
-
Soil Drainage
Well Drained
-
Soil type
Loam, Sand
-
Growth Rate
Fast
-
Water Requirements
Average Water
-
Habit
Clump-Forming
-
Seasonal Interest
Summer, Fall
Ornamental Features
-
Flower Interest
Showy
-
Flower Color
White, Red, Green, Pink, Magenta, Fuchsia, Rose
-
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
-
Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Dark Green
-
Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Dark Green
-
Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Dark Green
-
Foliage Color (Winter)
Green, Dark Green
-
Fragrant Flowers
No
-
Fragrant Fruit
No
-
Fragrant Foliage
No
-
Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
-
Flower Petal Number
Single
-
Repeat Bloomer
Yes
-
Showy Fruit
No
-
Edible Fruit
No
-
Showy Foliage
Yes
-
Foliage Texture
Coarse
-
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
-
Evergreen
Yes
-
Showy Bark
No
