Snowdrift Turmeric. Yes, it's hard to believe but this is the familiar culinary herb Turmeric. And this has to be one of the most spectacular variegations in the plant kingdom. Often referred to as ginger, it is a close relative of the Hedychiums, but it is a deciduous cone ginger, native to India. It is actually a sport of 'Emperor', which is a less heavily variegated selection with only a very narrow white border and was made by Richard O'Brien. Here in our zone 8, it emerges in late April and early May. It is easily divided as well during its dormant period. It is happiest when grown in part shade with uniform moisture, and presently we have had no deer damage. Flowers are somewhat lost down in the foliage in late summer with 8" stalks with a very pale pink color. Easily grown as a container plant in climates where it cannot be grown outside during the winter. But even then it could be grown in outside in colder climes and dug after frost knocks down the foliage. Store rhizomes inside in a pot of soil and keep it a little on the dry side. The last two pictures are courtesy of plantsman Hayes Jackson, Anniston, AL.
Zones 7b-10
