Roscoea Humeana

Description

Roscoea humeana, commonly known as Hume’s Roscoea or Hardy Ginger, is a striking perennial from the Zingiberaceae family, native to the mountainous regions of China. This compact plant features lush, lance-shaped green leaves and produces exotic, orchid-like flowers in shades of purple, lilac, or occasionally white. Blooming in late spring to mid-summer, its unique flowers create an eye-catching display in shaded garden borders, woodland settings, or containers. Unlike tropical gingers, Roscoea humeana thrives in cooler climates and is fully hardy in temperate zones. Its ability to tolerate partial shade and moist, well-drained soils makes it an excellent choice for underplanting trees or shrubs.

Sowing Advice

Seeds can be sown at any time but are best sown in winter or early spring to benefit from a cold spell in the wet compost to break their dormancy. We advise covering seeds very thinly with sand or fine grit to about the depth of the seed size. If the seeds do not come up within 6 to 12 weeks the damp seed tray can be given cold treatment in a fridge for about four weeks. They may still take very many months to appear, so please never discard the pot or tray.

Key Facts