Alpinia hainanensis – Visual Barrier Ginger/Upright Shell Ginger

This is a very delightful ornamental plant which has several reported edible and medicinal uses that we would like to investigate further. This evergreen ginger slowly spreads and forms a very dense screen in shaded conditions where other species may not work. It is perfect for giving a tropical, enclosed feel to an area where there is some overhead canopy. The plant spreads slowly via rhizomes, forming a slowly expanding colony that becomes wider and more dense over time. Unchecked, the ginger may cover a significant footprint. Regular walking traffic, weed eating or mowing will easy stop the spread into undesired areas.

After observing the performance and beautiful tropical aesthetic of this plant at the HEART Village for some years, we decided to use it as a visual barrier in a shaded area at the front of Cody Cove Farm. Surprisingly, this species remains green through drought as well as pretty significant freezing weather. When healthy, plants grow just tall enough to obstruct the view from a standing person. At some times of year, the plant produces beautiful ginger flowers, which can be seen in the photos with this post.

There are reports that the fruits and seeds of this Alpinia can be used as a cardamom substitute. We tried this once, with a great flavor in ice cream and no evident adverse affects. However, we have been unable to find much info on this usage from authoritative sources. If we find some time to dig up reputable information, we will report back. For the time being, proceed at your own risk. There are many reports of this species being used in traditional medicine Asian medicine. There is much to learn!

Aside from beauty, this plant may have some other functional uses for gardeners. The generous biomass production may be useful for some people to cut and use as mulch. I have also pondered if the leaves may be palatable to herbivores for animal forage, as it generates a lot of leafy material in shade that is too dense to grow much else.

This listing is for 3 bare root rhizome chunks. We recommend starting the rhizomes in pots and transplanting once they are well developed.