Dichorisandra thyrsiflora

RHS Plant Profile
blue ginger

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An erect perennial with short, rhizomatous roots and spirally arranged, lance-shaped lustrous dark green leaves, 20-30cm long. Deep violet flowers 1-2cm across are produced in dense racemes, 13-20cm long, in autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

0-0.1 metre

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0-0.1 metre
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
West–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)
H1B

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Commelinaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Suckering
Genus
Dichorisandra are upright evergreen perennials with leaves spirally aranged or in two ranks, and 3-petalled, blue or white flowers in racemes, followed by capsules splitting to reveal dark orange seeds
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
E Brazil

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in bright filtered light and high humidity. Water freely in the growing season and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly; keep just moist in winter

Propagation

Divide or root stem cuttings at any time

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Sub-tropical

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Mealybugs may be troublesome

Diseases

Generally disease-free