Tropicals & Tender Perennials: OPEN HOUSE AT GINGERLAND!!!!, 1 by birdlady_liz

birdlady_liz wrote:
Hi John,
The woman in Victoria actually has holes in the ground for her pots of gingers. Have you ever tried keeping anything that is evergreen up year round or just in the pot? As long as you don't water any dormant gingers they can stay in the pots over winter, that way you would be able to grow all kinds of goodies, especially since you appreciate the foliage as well as the inflorescence and the blooms. Too many people just want the big showy blooms and never take the time to notice the beautiful foliage. Daniel Weeks does bloom before Tara so I would give that one a try and several Costus do very well in pots and can stay 'up' in pots in the winter.
As far as blistering summers go, have you ever spent one in central Florida..lol
Barbatus blooms on older stems, about 8 month old, but it does great as a potted plant and would bloom for you that way. I keep several that way even here, just to insure that early inflorescence. It can't handle full sun here, does best in morning sun with filtered afternoon light or just bright filtered light all day.
for foliage Curcuma Scarlet Fever is another great one, lasts longer into winter than any Curcuma I grow, I've gone out around the beginning of January to cover other things with freeze cloth and looked down and seen Scarlet Fever still up, never seen any later than end of January though, like oall Curcumas it likes a little rest before spring, especially since it's a spring bloomer.
Don't forget the pictures of your blooms.
Liz