I've been exploring options for one of my "problem areas" at the edge of our property... the planting area is about 14 inches wide -- on one side is the neighbor's Great White Fence, on the other side is pavement (our driveway).
The area is light/filtered shade for most of the day, but gets some afternoon sun. Because of the narrow planting area, I tried vines (Moon flower) this summer... they have been plagued by a host of problems too lengthy to get into, but suffice it to say, they won't be there next year.
In looking for tall and fast growers that can tolerate shade and sun, I've stumbled on ginger lilies... but I don't know if they'll be put off by the narrow growing area. I don't mind if they "overlap" the pavement at all, but will they be happy?
And if yes, any recommendations on cultivars? Elizabeth is my top pick right now (because of my reading on its growth rate/habits), but that's just reading, not experience... I'm not concerned with bloom color (anything will do), more habit and likelihood of doing something to mask the Great White Fence.
TIA for your input. ;)
Ginger Lily Question
Are you looking at Elizabeth because it's not a rapid multiplier, as far as gingers go? Many gingers would look nice there, Curcuma Ribbon is nice in a narrow area, inflorescence is low but foliage is tall. Hedychium x 'Pink V' is nice and tall and a good multiplier, as is Gold Flame. Curcuma Scarlett Fever would give you gorgeous foilage as well as beautiful inflorescence and it lasts much longer into winter than any Curcuma I grow, I've had them still up in early January and they'll take quite a bit of sun, they also grow 'fan like' similar to bird of paradise. How long is the area? you might even want to do a combination a several varieties of gingers. Hedychium x 'Tara' is another nice tall ginger with crayon orange blooms, a very long inflorescence and the foliage has a blueish tinge to it.
Hope this has helped some.
Liz
I was looking at Elizabeth because something I read said it grew tall fast. ;) But I know so little about gingers (I have two different cultivars and this is the first summer I've grown them), that I'm completely totally open to suggestion.
The area is (off the top of my head, I'll measure later) 12-15 feet.
Would it be best to plant in this Fall or next Spring? I'm thinking I might should make a trip to Anthony, lol...
If you only have 14 inches between the fence and your driveway, Hedychiums might not be the best answer, since most of them tend to flop over at least to some extent - some worse than others. Also, I would assume being in Clearwater and wanting to hide the fence, you would want something evergreen - not something that will yellow and die back every year during its dormant period. That would eliminate Curcumas, although a few, like 'Scarlet Fever', will stay green into December or possibly early January (as Liz said). Alpinias would be evergreen there, and some (like A. zerumbet) are plenty tall, but 14 inches is really too narrow if the "great white fence" and driveway are really that close. Same with my personal favorites - Costus.
I cannot think of anything that would be ideal in the ginger family. I really think you will be better off with some kind of shade tolerant vine growing up the fence if that will not start a war with your neighbor. Thunbergia grandiflora comes to mind, possibly in the beautiful white flowering variety - 'Alba' - which has bigger flowers and broader tropical looking leaves. I think it would be evergreen there in Clearwater, as it nearly is here in Tallahassee in a mild winter. Another possibility would be Bignonia capreolata if you are gettiung some afternoon sun. You might even consider the "bleeding heart vine", Clerodendrum thompsoniae. It is absolutely beautiful and is evergreen in frost free or very light frost areas.
Dave Skinner
www.gingersrus.com
>>but 14 inches is really too narrow if the "great white fence" and driveway are really that close
I measured... it's not 14", but rather a whopping 16". ;-) Technically, it's not the driveway, but the walkway between our house and the garage -- which is an extension of the driveway.
I'd love something evergreen, but wasn't counting on it. I don't think vines would start a war with the neighbors, but I'm a bit disenchanted with vines given those that were there did absolutely miserably this year.
And I definitely have to pass on Clerodendrum thomsoniae -- we've already got it here... because it is the vine That Will Not Die. It sends runners all over the place -- most noticeably anywhere that I can't reach to dig it up. ;)
But I will take a look at some of the others you mentioned.
Liz, I'm still thinking I need to make it to Anthony and check the ginger situation... though I won't likely get anywhere until November... what's your season like? I don't have a problem waiting until next Spring.
Alpinia elegans grows quickly and to a height of nearly 20' !! It doesn't have very exciting blooms, but it is definately evergreen and provides a good screen. I don't think you can find it in nurseries, but if you have other interesting plants to trade, I could send you a couple rhizomes. I don't know if the 16" would be a problem or not. But you could always try. Let me know if you are interested.
Here is a picture taken by our Dave, at my garden:
http://www.gingersrus.com/images/ImageFrame.php?ImageID=8365
This was a mass planting done in 98, so you wouldn't have to worry about it getting to be such a monster right away! In fact, the 16" may be a good thing to keep it tamed.
Heather
Heather, wow! That's one impressive stand of ginger.
I'm a bit concerned that those guys might overpower the 16" area, but I do have several areas of Great White Fence to mask where they might just be perfect.
BUT. I'm holding off on plant trades for the moment as we have an upcoming RU in October http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/637176/ and I want to keep everything available for that event. After October, I might have more cool stuff to trade (there are a number of excellent events in the area in October where I plan to pick up plants), so then might be a good time.
just let me know!! or if there are other gingers you are interested in.
Hi Heather,
do you know what zones elegans will grow in, how far north? I've looked everywhere and can't find any growing information on them as far as how cold hardy they are.
Thanks,
Liz
Hi Liz,
Unfortunately, there just isn't much information on them. The only thing that I can tell you is that they are from the Philippines and Malaysia. Its obviously tropical, but that doesn't necessarily say much about is cold hardiness. It may still be able to take some cooler temperatures. Who knows? We can only experiment! If you or anyone further north wants a rhizome to trade, then you could just plant it and see what happens! If anyone comes to visit the garden, I would be happy to just give you a rhizome, without trade.
Heather
Heather, have you looked up the accession data on that one? When Enid and I were down there, David Bar-Zvi told me it was identified by John Kress as Alpinia elegans, but we did not look for a tag with an accession number and did not look up the records on it.
Liz, as for hardiness, I really don't know, but would somehow doubt it. It is possible that it is like A. zerumbet and the other hardy ones, but if it is really from the Phillipines or Malaysia with less of a monsoonal climate, it probably is not well adapted for winter dormancy or cool temps like the Japanese and Formosan Alpinias.
Dave Skinner
www.gingersrus.com
Dave,
Yes, I looked up the accession data. nothing. :( All the information I have is what we've already discussed. In the accession data, it doesn't even say its from the Philippines or Malaysia. Only the tag says that.
Heather
Actually, the Philippines does have a monsoon season. I know because I used to live there! There is a wet season & dry season, though in some areas, they are no longer as pronounced because environmental degradation has led to changes in the natural climate.
This message was edited Sep 19, 2006 8:46 AM
I guess it is worth a try in a cooler climate then. If it will grow that tall in areas with light frost it would make a nice backdrop to Alpinia zerumbet.
Dave Skinner
www.gingersrus.com
if anyone wants to try, just let me know. you may want to plant it in the spring, though. To give it time to get established.