Globba winitii
Common Names: dancing ladies ginger, dancing girls ginger
Family: Zingiberaceae (ginger Family)
Perennial Tolerant of Shade and Low Light Conditions Can be Grown in
Containers Has Unusual or Interesting Foliage Flowers
Description
The foliage of dancing ladies grows to about 2 ft (0.6 m) high with
long, lance shaped leaves on short stems. The plants slowly increase
to form open clumps of greenery, but the real attraction is the
unusual flowers. The inflorescence hangs down from the stem and is
comprised of showy bracts in purple or white with tiny yellow
flowers. The common name "dancing ladies" is derived from the way
the flowers seem to dance in the air suspended from the bracts. The
flowers will appear sporadically from July until dormancy in the
fall.
The species Globba winitii has mauve-purple bracts, but there are
several popular cultivars in other colors. 'White Dragon' has, as
the name implies, pure white bracts with the same yellow flowers.
'Red Leaf' has pinkish purple bracts and a reddish tint on the
undersides of the leaves. A grower in Hawaii has patented a series
of cultivars called the "Dancing Jewels" that have been marketed in
national retail chains. These include 'Ruby Queen', 'Pristina Pink',
'Purest Angel' (white) and 'Blushing Maiden' (pink and white). 'Ruby
Queen' was chosen as the Best New Flowering Plant at the 1999
Tropical Plant Industry Exhibition in Florida.
Location
Globba winitii is native to Thailand and Viet Nam.
Culture
Plant dancing ladies in fertile, organic, well-drained soil. They
will go dormant in winter, so be sure to mark their spots, as they
are among the last of the plants to reappear in spring. In colder
climates, the rhizomes may be lifted in winter and stored in a cool
garage or basement in slightly damp peat. These plants are virtually
pest free and very easy to grow if given suitable conditions.
Light: Provide full shade. Will tolerate a little sun if kept moist.
Moisture: Needs regular moisture in well drained soil during the
growing season.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 8 - 11.
Propagation: Dancing ladies ginger is propagated by division of
clumps during growing season or by cutting pieces of dormant
rhizome.
Usage
Dancing ladies are ideal for the front of a shady border. Plant them
close to a path where the unusual flowers can be viewed up close.
They can be used as container plants in warm summer areas, but will
not bloom well in cool climates since they require night-time
temperatures of 65ºF (18.3ºC) or higher.
Features
Globba winitii's unusual and showy flowers add color and excitement
to the shade garden. As a bonus, these beauties are excellent for
cutting and arranging. |
