Photo of Roscoea cautleyoides flower by Dancing Oaks Nursery

Photo by Dancing Oaks Nursery

Used with permission, all rights reserved

Show all photos

Roscoea cautleyoides

Also Known As

  • Roscoea yannanensis
  • Woodland Ginger

Plant type

perennial, groundcover, bulb / corm / tuber

size

  • H: 16"-24"
  • W: 4"-6"

planting zones

  • 6a-9b

More Options

Roscoea cautleyoides plant details

Roscoea cautleyoides is a broadleaf deciduous perennial groundcover bulb / corm / tuber with green foliage. In spring and summer yellow flowers emerge. Features grassy texture. Grows well with dappled shade - shade and even moisture - regular water. Does well in rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Roscoea cautleyoides

Plant type: perennial groundcover bulb / corm / tuber
Plant family: zingiberaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 4 IN - 6 IN - wide, 16 IN - 24 IN - tall
Flowers: yellow blooms in spring and summer
Uses: easy-to-grow, long-blooming, woodland garden

GROWING CONDITIONS for Roscoea cautleyoides

USDA Zones: 6a - 9b
Sun exposure: dappled shade - shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
Resistant to: verticillium wilt
Soil needs: rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

This is the pale yellow version, with rather large flowers blooming over a long period in summer. The leaves are narrower and less bulky compared to most other large flowering species. Easy to grow in well drained soil. May be shipped as bare root early spring.
Once described by British garden author, William Robinson as possessing “...a beauty quite apart”, this rare Chinese woodland perennial lives up to its reputation as its large, openly hooded ghostlike blooms hover just above tall, lush-looking narrow leaves. Bathed in pale moonlit yellows, the exquisitely strange, yet elegant flowers impart a cool luminosity to a drift of Disporum ‘Night Heron’.
Blooms late spring. Yellow orchid like flowers, but actually a type of Ginger. Thick tuberous roots, fleshy green foliage. Zone 5-9. 12", China, part shade-sun moist, humus rich
One of our favorite Roscoeas (we admittedly love the one we are with at the moment when it comes to these) which distinguishes itself by a haughty erectness (only achieved a great cost at expensive finishing schools) in apparent conflict with the "Do Me Now!" exotic yellow flowers.
Orchid like blossoms of the palest yellow on stalks with wide green leaves. 16" tall and clump forming. Prefers rich moist woodland setting.

Gardening facts about Roscoea cautleyoides plant

How to Grow Roscoea cautleyoides

  • Sun Exposure

    • dappled shade - shade
  • Water Needs

    • even moisture - regular
  • Soil Needs

    • well-drained
    • rich
  • Special Situation

    • verticillium wilt resistant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
  • Flower Color

    • yellow
  • Flower Season

    • summer
    • spring
  • Foliage Season

    • deciduous
  • Texture

    • grassy

See other plant types of Roscoea for your garden

aka Cinnamon Stick Roscoea, Hardy Ginger

Plant Type

Perennial

Zones

6a-9b

Size

Height: 18"

Width: 12"

  • mostly sun - shade
  • even moisture
Photo of Roscoea purpurea 'Cinnamon Stick' flower, foliage by Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc.
View Plant

Plant Type

Perennial

Zones

6a-9b

Size

Height: 12"-18"

Width: 12"

  • shade
  • regular
Photo of Roscoea purpurea flower, foliage by Keith Edkins
View Plant

More Options

aka Hardy Ginger, Spice Island Roscoea

Plant Type

Perennial

Zones

6a-9b

Size

Height: 18"

Width: 12"

  • bright shade - shade
  • even moisture
Photo of Roscoea purpurea 'Spice Island' foliage by Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc.
View Plant

More Options

aka Roscoea sp. aff. scillifolia

Plant Type

Perennial, Bulb / Corm / Tuber

Zones

8a-9b

Size

Height: 8"-12"

Width: 6"-12"

  • mostly shade
  • even moisture
Photo of Roscoea scillifolia flower, foliage by Far Reaches Farm
View Plant

More Options

aka Woodland Ginger

Plant Type

Perennial

Zones

6a-9b

Size

Height: 4"-12"

Width: 12"

  • bright shade - mostly shade
  • even moisture
Photo of Roscoea tibetica flower by Keeping it Green Nursery
View Plant

More Options

+18 more Roscoea
Mailing List
Sign Up for updates on new plant arrivals and deals

© 2010—2026 Plant Lust, LLC All Rights Reserved