GENERAL DESCRIPTION “CURCUMA ALISMATIFOLIA ALBA” OR HIDDEN GINGER AS IT IS COMMONLY CALLED IS AN HERBACEOUS PERENNIAL THAT ORIGINATES FROM SOUTHEAST ASIA. CURCUMA IS THE GENUS IN THE GINGER FAMILY WHICH INCLUDES TURMERIC, AS PERHAPS THE BEST KNOWN REPRESENTATIVE. THESE ARE ESSENTIALLY TROPICAL PLANTS, ALTHOUGH THEY DO WITHSTAND SOME COLD. IN EARLY SUMMER THROUGHT TO THE AUTUMN IT HAS LONG NARROW PALE GREEN/BLUE STIFF LEAVES AND PRODUCES A CREAM COLOURED INFLORESCENCE ON A TERMINAL SPIKE, WHICH CAN BE USED AS A CUT FLOWER. IT IS ALSO A HOT ITEM IN HOLLAND AND ISRAEL WHERE IT IS GROWN FOR CUT FLOWER AND POT PLANTS. THIS PLANT IS LONG LASTING REPEAT BLOOMING, SUN-LOVING AND VERY PRODUCTIVE WHEN ESTABLISHED. IT WILL BLOOM ALL SUMMER. THE RICH GREEN FOLIAGE IS SOMETIMES PLEATED AND ATTRACTIVE IN AND OF ITSELF CURCUMA ARE PLANTS THAT YOU MUST PURCHASE AS A LEAP OF FAITH, THEN SIT BACK AND ENJOY LATER IN THE GARDEN. CURCUMA ARE NOTORIOUSLY DIFFICULT TO BECOME ESTABLISHED AND MAY TAKE A COUPLE OF YEARS TO DO SO, SO PLEASE BE PATIENT. HIDDEN GINGER IS A RHYSOMES WHICH ARE THICKENED UNDERGROUND STEMS. THEY GROW IN A HORIZONTAL DIRECTION, SPROUTING NEW SECTIONS AS THEY GO. PREFERS PARTIAL SHADE, AND SANDY LOAM RICH SOIL. IT IS HARDIER THAN OTHER GINGERS AND CAN SURVIVE WINTERS IN A PROTECTED LOCATION IN VERY COLD WINTERS IT MUST BE DUG UP AND STORED IN A COOL DRY LOCATION (NOT BELOW 4-5 DEGREES CELSIUS) AND REPLANTED IN THE SPRING. IT ALSO MAKES A LOVELY INDOOR PLANT. LOOKING FOR SUMMER FLOWERING BULBS TO IMPROVE YOUR LANDSCAPING “CURCUMA “IS ALWAYS A GOOD CHOICE FOR ANY GARDENER.
Trustpilot
1 month ago
2 weeks ago
