Zingiber spectabile or Beehive Ginger is a rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial that produces golden coloured, beehive shaped bracts from which small purple and white flowers emerge during the warmer months of the year.
The bracts remain for some time after the flowers have finished, turning reddish brown as they dry out. They are prized for cut flowers throughout their life-cycle.
The mid green, lance shaped leaves unfurl from tall, stiff stems that rise out of the underground rhizome in spring forming an attractive fountain shape. The leaves are glossy on top and downy underneath and release a ginger fragrance when crushed.
The plant becomes dormant during the colder months or during periods of drought with the foliage dying back.
It goes best in a semi shaded rainforest border setting or shrubbery .