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Herbaceous Perennial

Cautleya spicata

Himalayan ginger

A rhizomatous perennial with broadly lance-shaped, mid green leaves. In late summer it produces stiff spikes of yellow flowers with reddish green to maroon bracts

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Partial shade

Aspect

West–facing or East–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Zingiberaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Columnar upright
Genus: Cautleya are rhizomatous perennials with erect stems bearing lance-shaped or oblong leaves in two ranks, and funnel-shaped yellow flowers with conspicuous bracts, in slender racemes
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Himalaya

How to grow

Cultivation

Preferably plant in humus rich, moist but well-drained soil in partial shade. Will tolerate sunnier spot if not allowed to dry out. Plant rhizomes 10-15cm deep. Protect with winter mulch

Propagation

Propagate by division of established clumps in late spring. Propagate by seed in early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Sub-tropical
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back once the foliage was frosted

Pests

Slugs and snails may damage new growth

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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