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Information about plants & gardens for Brisbane & Qld |
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Ornamental Gingers and Heliconias
including Cucurma, Alpinia, Hedychium, Dichorisandra, Zingiber, Globba, Etlingera, Elettaria and Costus
This is a broad group including plants of the families Heliconiaceae, Costaceae and Zingiberaceae. The so-called "Blue Ginger" (Dichorisandra thyrsiflora) belongs to Commelinaceae. They are frequently discussed together because they're all tropical plants which produce flowers and foliage from stems that run in or on the ground (rhizomes). Most are grown for their flamboyant flowers, although the bold, tropical-look foliage is foliage is also appealing.
News
Ginger could be new weapon against fruit fly
Researchers at the Queensland University of Technology are looking for alternatives to conventional chemicals to control Queensland fruit fly. One potenial method involves using an extract of ginger called zingerone to lure male fruit flies into traps. Source: Qld fruit fly scientists in race against time (June, 2011)
Older news at bottom of page.
Where to buy Gingers and Heliconias in Qld
Advertisements
The following advertisers may include online suppliers. For the most up-to-date information on plants in stock, opening hours, prices etc, be sure to visit the seller's website or contact the business directly.
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BAMBOO LAND
Nursery & Parklands
87 Old Coach Road
Howard QLD 4659
Ph. (07) 4129 4470
Fax. (07) 4129 0130
info@bambooland.com.au
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Turn your garden into a tropical paradise with bamboo, ginger and heliconias. Huge range available as either potted plants or rhizomes.
All species are grown on display in the Bamboo Land gardens.
Catering for customers from the small suburban garden, landscapers and commercial growers. Can ship to anywhere in Australia.
Based near Hervey Bay, QLD. Gardens and nursery open 7 days.
Refer to website for species selection and much more information. |
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EL ARISH TROPICAL EXOTICS
PO Box 150,
El Arish, Qld 4855
Ph: (07) 4068 5058
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El Arish Tropical Exotics supplies an extensive range of Heliconias & Gingers by retail, wholesale & mail order.
The catalogue includes Zingiber, Alpinia, Hedychium, Costus, Etlingera, and Heliconia, including running H. psitticorum types. You'll find unusual varieties for the avid collector and a selection of tropicals for cooler climates.
Most varieties are available as rhizomes. Potted or advanced plants also available by arrangement. Supplying strong, healthy stock is something we're committed to.
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Ginger and heliconia specialist nurseries or other suppliers offering these plants for sale to the public in Qld can advertise on this page. Information for Advertisers.
More Information
Gingers & Heliconias are generally plants for the tropics and subtropics. For borderline climates like Sydney, consult a specialist ginger nursery to find out which varieties are most cold tolerant.
Although they're not woody plants, some types can reach heights of several metres. Not all grow to these proportions, however, with other varieties reaching only 50 cm or less.
Most cultivated members of this group are "exotic" in terms of both looks and origin, but Australia does have some native gingers. Alpinia coerulea is widely available and a popular choice for rainforest gardens. Curcuma australasica is another Australian native becoming popular with ginger collectors.
More Online Resources
The following are for general information, research and ideas - some species or cultivars referred to in links may be unavailable in Australia or unsuitable or illegal to grow in Queensland.
Ornamental Plant Introductions (notes on
Etlingera hemispherica,
Zingiber otensii,
Alpinia mutica) Northern Territory Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines (PDF)
Meet the Plants Pacific flora database of the National Tropical Botanical Garden, USA. Information on a number of Gingers and Heliconias
Alpinia
Alpinia zerumbet UBC Botanical Garden and Centre for Plant Research, University of British Columbia, Canada
Alpinia purpurata (pictures of some variants) Harold L. Lyon Arboretum Plant Profile, University of Hawaii at Manoa, USA (PDF)
Alpinia galanga (Galangal) Ecocrop database, Food and Agriculture Organization
Costus
Native Crepe Ginger (
Costus potierae) At the "Grow Me Instead" website (an Australian website informing gardeners about safer alternatives to invasive ornamentals)
Costus woodsonii (Red Button Ginger) Online Manual of Subtropical Landscaping Plants, Palm Beach Community College, Florida
Curcuma
Cape York Lily (
Curcuma australasica) At the "Grow Me Instead" website (an Australian website informing gardeners about safer alternatives to invasive ornamentals)
Curcuma longa turmeric Hawaiian Ethnobotany Online Database, Bishop Museum
Siam Tulips Selections and hybrids of
Curcuma alismatifolia. Center for Tropical Plant Conservation, Florida
Dichorisandra
Blue Ginger Dichorisandra thrysiflora At the "Grow Me Instead" website, Australia
Blue-Ginger Dichorisandra thyrsiflora Online Manual of Subtropical Landscaping Plants, Palm Beach Community College, Florida
Etlingera
Elettaria
Globba
Heliconia
Heliconia Struggle Experiences growing heliconias in the Brisbane area shared at the SubTropical Queensland Open Garden blog
Heliconia indica Lam. in: Agroforestry in the Pacific Islands: Systems for Sustainability United Nations University Press
Heliconia psittacorum At the "Grow Me Instead" website (an Australian website informing gardeners about invasive plants)
Zingiber
Botany, Taxonomy, Environment
Wild Ginger Notes about gingers by World Wide Fund for Nature Malaysia
Older News
Ginger and heliconia aphids may or may not be banana risk
The banana aphid, Pentalonia nigronervosa is vector of banana bunchy top virus (BBTV). DNA analysis of aphids collected from several countries including Australia, showed that aphids from banana are genetically different from apparently similar aphids from heliconia and ginger plants. This has implications for BBTV research as some of the previous work on the aphid may have involved the wrong species (Pentalonia caladii). If it is found that the ginger and heliconia aphids can't transmit the virus, they can be ruled out as a treat to bananas. More at the Western Pacific Tropical Research Center website: Identity Theft by Aphids (January 2011)
Three species of ornamental ginger declared weeds in Queensland
Media release from Tim Mulherin (Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland) here: Three Gingers banned in Queensland.
Yellow ginger (Hedychium flavescens) is now a Class 1 weed
White ginger (Hedychium coronarium) is now a Class 3 weed
Kahili ginger (Hedychium gardnerianum) is now a Class 3 weed
All are now illegal to sell or trade in Qld, while landowners who have yellow ginger on their properties must eradicate it. More information on declared weeds in Qld, the classification system and your obligations at the Biosecurity Queensland website. (November 2010)
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