{"product_id":"small-shell-ginger-alpinia-mutica","title":"Small Shell Ginger - Alpinia mutica","description":"\u003cp\u003eSmall Shell Ginger (\u003cem\u003eAlpinia mutica\u003c\/em\u003e) is a lush, leafy ginger that grows 1.5m to 2m tall and 1m to 2m wide. Its broad, glossy leaves give off a spicy cardamom scent when crushed, and in summer decorative stems of creamy white flowers with golden yellow centres rise above them, followed by orange berries. It is a free-flowering plant for tropical and subtropical gardens and for shaded containers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScented foliage.\u003c\/strong\u003e Crush a leaf and you get a spicy cardamom fragrance, which makes the plant a pleasure beside a path or doorway.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShell-like flowers.\u003c\/strong\u003e Creamy white blooms with golden yellow centres stand proud of the foliage on decorative stems.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColour after the flowers.\u003c\/strong\u003e Orange berries follow in the wake of the summer blooms.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGlossy evergreen leaves.\u003c\/strong\u003e The long, spreading leaves keep the clump full and leafy through the year.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlexible position.\u003c\/strong\u003e It grows from sun to shade and suits containers in shaded areas, with the best flowering in brighter spots.\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 it in drifts at the back of a bed or beneath larger trees. Set plants 1.5m apart so the clumps meet without crowding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaths and entries.\u003c\/strong\u003e Brushing past the leaves releases the cardamom scent, so plant it where people will walk close to it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContainers.\u003c\/strong\u003e A large pot in a shaded courtyard or on a verandah carries the full height of the plant, and potted plants need watering more often than those in the ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Small Shell Ginger in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Subtropical and tropical gardens are ideal. It tolerates positions from sun to shade, though flowering will be reduced in shadier sites. Protect it from frost. In an overnight frost the plant will die back, but a well mulched rootball may survive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant in free draining soil, enriched with compost where the ground is poor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mulch and water regularly until the plant is established, which usually takes around 12 weeks. Keep the water up during dry periods, and feed with an organic liquid fertiliser for lush new growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Cut stems to the ground if the clump becomes untidy. New shoots will replace the ones you remove.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Small Shell Ginger as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, in 140mm pots in packs of 10, in 200mm pots in packs of 6 and in single 300mm pots. Tubes suit filling a border, while the 300mm plants give a leafier start. Plants travel upright, so unpack them promptly, plant out once frost is no longer a risk, and keep the water up while the roots settle.\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\"\u003eSee our full range of ornamental gingers\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/tropical-plants\"\u003eTropical plants for lush borders\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/hardy-tropical-plants-that-handle-wind-and-heat\"\u003eHardy tropical plants that handle wind and heat\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\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes it really smell of cardamom?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCrushed leaves give off a spicy cardamom scent, which is why it is also called false cardamom. It is related to root ginger, not to cardamom, so grow it for its foliage and flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan it take full sun?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. It grows from sun to shade and flowers best in the brighter spots. Keep the water up in hot, dry spells.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it survive frost?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProtect it from frost. An overnight frost will kill the top growth, but if the soil is well mulched the rootball may survive and shoot again.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube","offer_id":67787163337023,"sku":"ALP-MUT-tube","price":17.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10)","offer_id":67787163369791,"sku":"ALP-MUT-140MM-P10","price":213.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200mm (Pack of 6)","offer_id":67787163402559,"sku":"ALP-MUT-200MM-P6","price":217.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"300mm","offer_id":67787163435327,"sku":"ALP-MUT-300MM","price":132.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/small-shell-ginger-alpinia-mutica.jpg?v=1792149291","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/small-shell-ginger-alpinia-mutica","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}