Photo of Roscoea humeana flower, form by Keeping it Green Nursery

Photo by Keeping it Green Nursery

Used with permission, all rights reserved

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Roscoea humeana

Also Known As

  • Hume Roscoea
  • Woodland Ginger

Plant type

perennial

size

  • H: 6"-16"
  • W: 6"-16"

planting zones

  • 6a-9b

More Options

Roscoea humeana plant details

Roscoea humeana is a broadleaf deciduous perennial with green foliage. In spring and summer purple flowers emerge. Features grassy texture. Attracts bees making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with mostly sun - mostly shade and even moisture - regular water. Does well in average, gritty, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something humidity tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Roscoea humeana

Plant type: perennial
Plant family: zingiberaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 6 IN - 16 IN - wide, 6 IN - 16 IN - tall
Flowers: purple blooms in spring and summer
Uses: long-blooming, showy

GROWING CONDITIONS for Roscoea humeana

USDA Zones: 6a - 9b
Sun exposure: mostly sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
Resistant to: humidity and verticillium wilt
Soil needs: average, gritty, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

From forest margins in China, this stocky little tuberous rooted perennial is from the ginger family. Tight clumps of upright stems sheathed in leaves grow to 6-8” and are topped in summer by large, very showy purple orchid like flowers! Sun in cool areas to part shade where warm; prefers rich, well drained moist soils. Mulch in cold winter zones. A first meeting with this plant usually elicits a sharp intake of breath followed by “What is that?!” USDA Z6
This species has some of the largest flowers in the genus and also is the earliest to bloom. Overall a rather stout plant and showy. May be shipped as bare root early spring.
Blooms: spring-summer, purple, orchid like in appearance Zone 6-9. 12"-24", China, part shade-sun, moist, well drained

Gardening facts about Roscoea humeana plant

How to Grow Roscoea humeana

  • Sun Exposure

    • mostly sun - mostly shade
  • Water Needs

    • even moisture - regular
  • Soil Needs

    • average
    • well-drained
    • rich
    • gritty
  • Special Situation

    • humidity tolerant
    • verticillium wilt resistant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
  • Flower Color

    • purple
  • Wildlife

    • bees
  • 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

aka Roscoea yannanensis, Woodland Ginger

Plant Type

Perennial, Groundcover, Bulb / Corm / Tuber

Zones

6a-9b

Size

Height: 16"-24"

Width: 4"-6"

  • dappled shade - shade
  • even moisture - regular
Photo of Roscoea cautleyoides flower by Dancing Oaks Nursery
View Plant

More Options

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

+18 more Roscoea
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