Unlink Mr. Whipple who proclaims, “Please don’t squeeze the Charmin,” this ginger is meant to be squeezed!
I have had these for at least 15 years. I probably planted two or three of them that I probably got from a local gardener. Well, they are in small wooded area in front of my home. The space is naturalized save for a couple azaleas, a camellia, and selloum philodendron, some bleeding-heart vine, a couple of other gingers, a bank of cast iron plants and a huge male sago cycad. Needless to say, it is a dappled sun, call it shady area.
Well, these take zero care from me and they have multiplied prolifically. They are easily divided and transplanted and so should be one of the best “pass-along” plants.
While the leaves grow 6-feet tall, the pinecone “flower” part is located at the base. These just turned red within a week or two from a really cool, alien looking green. It captures rainwater and holds it as it gets macerated with the intoxicating fragrance of ginger.
When you squeeze the “bulb,” you are rewarded with a delightful, viscous “shampoo.” This is one of my favorite, carefree plants in the garden.
