Bought this last year at HD. Left it in the ground and it completely died back...put a lot of mulch and newspaper over it and it came back. It has been this same size all summer and doesn't appear to bloom. Is this what I should expect?
variegated leaves
that looks like alpinia zerumbet variegata, but mine is more variegated than yours so I'm not 100% sure. I will say that mine disappeared following our unexpected freeze last Feb and it was slow to come back. Once it gets hot, over 85 they seem to start growing really fast, as if to catch up.
Then again, in your zone, this tropical might always be on the smaller side because it has to start from scratch every year.
Much to my chagrine, it is looking like I am going to have to do some sort of greenhouse.
Unless done correctly, they are a lot of expense and trouble......easier to start over.
I do have more precious plants this year than ever before. Trying to make a plan before it is upon us. When I say "precious" not meaning monetarily.....just important to me for various reasons.
Thank you vossner.
It does look like Variegated Shell Ginger/Alpinia zerumbet variegata, though mine seem to have more yellow variegation -- it probably gets whiter as the leaf ages. I also know HD carries them from time to time. It likes shade, but it might need a little brighter light to get broader leaves, and some rich compost or other fertilizer to grow faster. It's great that yours are surviving the winter. They don't do that here.
It will come back as long as it doesn't freeze -- or it it is well protected during a short freeze. However, it blooms on second-year stalks, so you will never see it's beautiful clusters of blooms unless you can keep it growing through the winter -- maybe in that new greenhouse!
Good Luck!