Tropical Plants - Ginger, Fatsia And Angel Trumpet

Tropical plants provide so much beauty in the warmer climates. Many of these plant specimens can grow indoors in colder areas. I decided to focus on two varieties of the Ginger plant, the Angel Trumpet and Fatsia. I will be doing more warm climate plants throughout the upcoming months.

Ginger Plant

The Ginger plant is noted for its large bright green leaves. There are many different varieties of the Ginger. This plant family can grow fine in zone seven but it can get damage with harsh temperatures. It will die off in the winter in this zone, but the roots are hardy and the the plant will revitalize in the spring time. The Ginger does real well in zones eight through eleven. Below are two pictures of the shell variety and the Indian Ginger.

Shell Ginger

Indian Ginger

One of my favorites, is the Dancing Crane.

Dancing Crane

Variegated Leaves

This is a wonderful variegated Ginger plant. It will grow well in zones eight through eleven. As you can see in zone seven, the ends are brown due to a couple of frosty mornings. You can bring this plant inside during the winter months. The Dancing Crane has vibrant yellow flowers that bloom. The flowers bud forms underground and emerges from mid summer through the middle of the autumn season. This Ginger will grow eighteen to thirty six inches tall. It can take part shade to full shade and is striking with other sub tropical plants. Spacing should be about a foot apart and soil conditions should be maintained at a moist level.

Blue Ginger

Close Up Of Leaves

Bamboo Stems

The Blue Ginger is such a unique plant specimen. The bulb of this ginger plant was given to me by a friend that had been in Hawaii a couple of years ago. I germinated the bulb indoors over a year ago and this spring put it out in the garden for the summer. Due to the drought in zone seven many of the tips of the leaves were damaged. A few weeks ago I potted up the ginger and it is beginning to thrive indoors. The Blue Ginger will grow six to eight feet tall and does excellent in zones nine through eleven. For cooler zones, it can be used as an indoor plant year around. From mid summer through mid fall, flowers appear in colors of purple and blue tones. This specie is native in tropical areas of warmer regions of North America, as well as Central and South America. It needs a regular watering schedule. This ginger is a medium fast grower and does well in shade but can take some sun. This is a great plant to incorporate in a tropical indoor or outdoor theme color garden.

Angel Trumpet

Flower Pods And Leaves

The Angel Trumpet is a very popular warm climate plant. It grows well in zones seven through eleven and can take sun to part shade. In colder climates it is considered an annual. There are many different varieties and can grow anywhere from four to ten feet. The spectacular flowers open up from mid summer through late fall or early winter. One of the highlights of the Angel Trumpet is its attraction to different bird and butterfly species. This plant offers bloom colors in yellow, orange, white, lavender and a golden tone. One word of caution if you are considering this plant for indoors or even outdoors, the entire plant is poisonous. It needs to be regularly watered don't don't over water, as it will damage the roots. Great specimen next to evergreens and other ornamental plants.

Fatsia

Close Up

To me, the Fatsia can be a show case in any warmer climate garden. The unique style large leaves create a great focal point in a large or even small area. The Fatsia will grow in zones seven but the frost will brown out the leaves and kill it throughout the winter months. It will reappear in spring time. This warm climate beauty does well in zones eight through ten. It will mature from six to eight feet tall and six to eight feet wide. A superb white flowers appear in the fall months of October and November. The Fatsia needs shade as sun could very well burn the leaves. This plant looks great in a container as well as a hedge row with multiple color perennials in front of it. Variegated or solid Liriope or Mondo Grass can complete this tropical look acting as a border around the garden.