Family
Zingiberaceae
Botanical Name
KAEMPFERIA elegans
Plant Common Name
Peacock Ginger
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
Creating a lush, tropical shade groundcover, peacock ginger's mottled, rounded leaves are accompanied with small lavender-purple flowers during the warm months. A clumping, tender perennial that is deciduous in cold or dryness of winter, it is native to southeastern Asia.
Its leaves rise from underground rhizomes that are fleshy, often like small potato tubers. Each leaf blade is oval, often with slightly wavy edges and colored medium to dark green with subdued mottled patterns. Small, four-petaled flowers rise above the foliage from late spring to autumn, colored light lavender-purple. The onset of chilly night temperatures or a tropical dry season results in the leaves dying down, returning only when spring's warmth or rains return.
Plant peacock ginger in fertile, organic-rich soil that is moist but well-drained. While dormant, sharply decrease watering and make sure not to disturb the resting roots while hidden under the soil. Use it as a container plant or as a massed groundcover under a building eave or large shade tree. More bodaciously foliaged cultivars include 'Shazam', 'Satin Checks', 'Emerald Tiger' and 'Brush Strokes', all of which have much more pronounced leaf color contrasts than the species.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 10
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USDA Hardiness Zone
8 - 12
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Tender Perennial
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Sun Exposure
Partial Shade
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Height
6"-8" / 15.2cm - 20.3cm
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Width
10"-12" / 25.4cm - 30.5cm
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Bloom Time
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall
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Native To
Southeastern Asia
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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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, Fall
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Purple, Lavender
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Light Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Dark 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
No
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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
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
