Our white ornamental gingers, Hedychium coccineum, are blooming at last. Here it is October! Better late than never, as they say. And the fragrance is so wonderful, right there with any jasmine and gardenia. This ginger is hardy to the PNW, asking only for a bit of mulch to protect the surface running rhisome. Place it close to a south facing wall if you have one and the collected heat will help in all respects. Many love the foliage, which is arrow-like on stalks that can reach 4′. The emerging stalks in May look like bamboo shoots.
There are many different ornamental gingers. We have five or six and the colors include orange, pink, and yellow. Some have variegation in the leaves and some are bronze colored on the underside. Be sure to explore these wonderful plants if you are not familiar with them.