tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1615100786320943903.post1199618422865409763..comments2024-03-28T13:18:03.669-07:00Comments on Succulents and More™: Tropical trimmingGerhard Bock (Succulents and More)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17583583634141549759noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1615100786320943903.post-10024587249645604772011-02-15T07:47:33.428-08:002011-02-15T07:47:33.428-08:00Mark and Gaz, here Alpinia zerumbet 'Variegata...Mark and Gaz, here Alpinia zerumbet 'Variegata' has proven to be hardy enough in our climate. Some leaves end up frying each winter but those are easily cut off. <br /><br />However, at temperatures much under 27°F I'd attempt to cover them up--not easy seeing how large they've gotten. The one in the backyard is 5 ft tall by 6 ft wide. It had quite a few flowers last year.Gerhard Bock (Succulents and More)https://www.blogger.com/profile/17583583634141549759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1615100786320943903.post-87429471035573098352011-02-15T07:46:54.929-08:002011-02-15T07:46:54.929-08:00Mark and Gaz, here Alpinia zerumbet 'Variegata...Mark and Gaz, here Alpinia zerumbet 'Variegata' has proven to be hardy enough in our climate. Some leaves end up frying each winter but those are easily cut off. <br /><br />However, at temperatures much under 27°F I'd attempt to cover them up--not easy seeing how large they've gotten. The one in the backyard is 5 ft tall by 6 ft wide. It had quite a few flowers last year.Gerhard Bock (Succulents and More)https://www.blogger.com/profile/17583583634141549759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1615100786320943903.post-73661266712719179382011-02-14T12:22:52.703-08:002011-02-14T12:22:52.703-08:00That's quite a lush display you've got the...That's quite a lush display you've got there in the summer Gerhard!<br /><br />I know it looks barren at first but it's nice to just get stuck in and clear out all the dead growth from last years.<br /><br />I do like Alpinia zerumber 'Variegata', used to have one but lost it frosts after an unguarded moment (forgotten to bring in the pot one frosty night!). It did try to comeback but it took ages and was weak so have given up on it. I love the scent of the leaves though when you crush it :)Mark and Gazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09427245730390252976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1615100786320943903.post-84669593836288222192011-02-14T08:02:31.477-08:002011-02-14T08:02:31.477-08:00Alan, I'm with you. In a way, I prefer the loo...Alan, I'm with you. In a way, I prefer the look of dried leaves to an empty flower bed. <br /><br />Everything should come back, it did last year. It'll just be a while. But if I end up with holes, I'll gladly find replacement plants :-).<br /><br />The large plant in the corner is a variegated shell ginger (<em>Alpinia zerumbet</em> 'Variegata'). We have another one in the back yard, and they're among my favorite foliage plants. Some leaves got nipped a bit by the frost but overall the plants were unaffected.Gerhard Bock (Succulents and More)https://www.blogger.com/profile/17583583634141549759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1615100786320943903.post-21009495929329987952011-02-14T04:50:17.648-08:002011-02-14T04:50:17.648-08:00It's always a little depressing cutting down t...It's always a little depressing cutting down the old growth, leaving so much empty space. It looks like you won't be waiting long for it to fill back in though.<br /><br />Will everything come back, or will there be some empty spots ready for new plants?<br /><br />Also, what's that large plant right in the corner behind the potted banana?<br />___________________________<br /><a href="http://www.itsnotworkitsgardening.com" rel="nofollow">It's not work, it's gardening!</a>Alanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13393082652312828458noreply@blogger.com