Ginger

Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Hardiness: USDA Zones 8 to 11 for most species

Some species are prized for their fantastic foliage, while others offer eye-catching flowers. The common edible ginger (Zingiber officinale) is mostly raised for its flavorful roots. Ginger grows from a branching rhizome that sends up mostly upright to arching stems with long but relatively narrow leaves. In summer or fall, separate flowering stems typically bear densely clustered bracts that can be quite colorful; the small blooms themselves may be hardly noticeable. Ginger ranges in height from about two to eight feet tall, depending on the species.

How to use it: Planted in single clumps or in groups, gingers are invaluable for adding a tropical touch to summer borders and container plantings. They make great-looking houseplants, and the blooms are eye-catching as cutflowers.

Culture: Gingers can tolerate full sun in northern areas but usually prefer partial shade. They can grow in full shade too, although they're not as likely to bloom there. Give them fertile, well-drained soil, and keep it evenly moist from spring to fall; fertilize regularly during this period as well. During the winter, let the soil of potted gingers dry out a bit between waterings. Gingers growing outdoors appreciate winter mulch in the cooler parts of their growing range. Propagate by division in spring. No serious pest or disease problems.

Special notes: Some gingers (including the common edible species) are rather shy about blooming, but they're worth growing for their foliage interest alone—especially those with colorful leaves. All of them tend to be aromatic, easy to grow and quite vigorous. A single rhizome of edible ginger can expand to fill a large pot by the end of just one growing season, providing an ample harvest for kitchen use.

Selected cultivars and species