{"product_id":"siam-swift-ornamental-ginger-curcuma-alismatifolia-siam-swift","title":"Siam Swift Ornamental Ginger - Curcuma alismatifolia 'Siam Swift'","description":"\u003cp\u003eSiam Swift Ornamental Ginger (\u003cem\u003eCurcuma alismatifolia\u003c\/em\u003e 'Siam Swift') is a compact tropical ginger, about 50cm tall and wide, that carries pink and purple flower bracts through summer and into autumn. The upper bracts are a clear mid-pink and deepen to purple-pink lower on the stem, while small lavender-purple true flowers peep out between them. It is a plant for sheltered beds and pots in sun to part shade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTwo-tone colour.\u003c\/strong\u003e The bracts are mid-pink at the top and a deeper purple-pink lower down, so every flower spike carries a gradient rather than one flat colour.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers within flowers.\u003c\/strong\u003e The tulip-like display is made of bracts. The true flowers are small, lavender-purple and orchid-like, and they appear between the bracts along the stem.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeeks of colour.\u003c\/strong\u003e The bracts can last up to two months on the plant, so one flush carries a bed or pot for much of the season.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompact and portable.\u003c\/strong\u003e At about 50cm by 50cm it suits a pot you can move to the best spot, or a sheltered garden bed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIt rests and returns.\u003c\/strong\u003e The plant dies back over winter, then shoots again from the rhizome as the weather warms.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTropical borders.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 40cm apart in a sheltered bed with dappled light. The pink-purple bracts stand out against broad green foliage and dark mulch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContainers.\u003c\/strong\u003e A wide bowl holds several plants for a fuller display. Potted plants can come indoors for short periods, so rotate them to even up the light.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Siam Swift Ornamental Ginger in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to part shade, in a sheltered spot out of the wind. It comes from Cambodia, Thailand (once called Siam) and Vietnam, so it enjoys warmth and does best in tropical and subtropical gardens, and as a summer plant in warm temperate ones. Frost will damage it, so in colder districts grow it in a pot and keep it under cover through winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Free-draining soil is the key. Mulch over the top to hold moisture, and in a pot use a good quality potting mix that drains freely.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mulch and water regularly until the plant is established, usually around 12 weeks, and water regularly during dry periods. Feed with a liquid fertiliser at the first sign of new shoots in the warmer months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e No pruning is needed. Let the leaves die back in winter and remove them only when completely brown, so the nutrients draw back into the rhizome ready for next season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSiam Swift is sold as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Expect a small, leafy plant that bulks up through the warm months, with bracts appearing once the clump has some size. Our tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. If the tube shows as sold out, the grower has none right now, and the notify button on the page emails you the day it is back. In cooler districts, plant out after the last frost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/gingers\"\u003eCompare other ornamental gingers\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-subtropical-climates\"\u003ePlants for subtropical climates\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/designing-a-tropical-garden-that-looks-lush-year-round\"\u003eDesigning a tropical garden that looks lush all year\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-partial-shade\"\u003eMore plants for partial shade\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAre the pink parts the actual flowers?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe showy tulip-shaped parts are bracts, which are modified leaves. The true flowers are the small lavender-purple blooms between them. Both are part of the display, and the bracts are the long lasting part.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhen does it flower?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom summer into autumn. The bracts can last up to two months on the plant, and then it dies back for winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat do I do over winter?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLet it die back. Keep frost off the pot or ground, leave the leaves until they are completely brown, and apply liquid fertiliser when the new shoots appear.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67790861533503,"sku":"CUR-ALI-SIAMSW-tube","price":23.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/siam-swift-ornamental-ginger-curcuma-alismatifolia-siam-swift.jpg?v=1792209840","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/siam-swift-ornamental-ginger-curcuma-alismatifolia-siam-swift","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}