Cautleya spicata 'Robusta'

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Himalayan ginger 'Robusta'

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Himalayan ginger 'Robusta' RHS

Synonyms

Cautleya robusta

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Herbaceous Perennial
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A rhizomatous perennial to 90cm with broadly lance-shaped, somewhat glossy leaves. In late summer produces stiff flowerheads composed of overlapping, dark red bracts with protruding, two-lipped, yellow flowers

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

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)
H3

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Zingiberaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
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
Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant rhizomes 15cm deep in spring in moist, humus-rich soil in partial shade. Water freely in dry spells, and mulch well in winter

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in warmth in early spring, or by division in late spring just after growth begins

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Sub-tropical
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

Generally disease-free