{"product_id":"variegated-shell-ginger-alpinia-zerumbet","title":"Variegated Shell Ginger - Alpinia zerumbet","description":"\u003cp\u003eVariegated Shell Ginger (\u003cem\u003eAlpinia zerumbet\u003c\/em\u003e) is a tall, clumping tropical with broad leaves striped in green and gold. It reaches 2 to 3m tall and about 2m wide, and in summer it dangles pale pink and white flowers shaped like little shells. It brings a lush, jungle look to frost-free gardens and holds its foliage colour all year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGold and green stripes.\u003c\/strong\u003e The big leaves are striped throughout, so the plant lights up a corner even when it is not in flower.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShell-shaped flowers.\u003c\/strong\u003e In summer, soft pink and white blooms hang in cascades, and each one recalls a small shell.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReal scale.\u003c\/strong\u003e At up to 3m tall and 2m wide it gives a tropical-style garden structure and volume straight away.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBrightens part shade.\u003c\/strong\u003e A natural understorey plant, it carries colour into spots where sun-lovers would struggle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eContainer friendly.\u003c\/strong\u003e In cooler climates it can live in a large pot that moves to shelter for winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTropical-style gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e Use it as a showy feature behind lower planting, leaving 2m clear around each plant for its full spread. Positions under palms or taller trees, away from harsh afternoon sun, suit it well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLarge pots in cooler climates.\u003c\/strong\u003e Grow it in a big container and shift the pot into shelter for winter, since frost damages it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCourtyards and entries.\u003c\/strong\u003e The bold, upright shape and the cascading flowers suit a warm, sheltered courtyard, as long as the spot is frost-free.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Variegated Shell Ginger in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e It does best in full sun to part shade, with protection from harsh afternoon sun and from frost. That makes it a plant for tropical and subtropical gardens. Where winters are cold, treat it as a container plant and give it shelter before the first frost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Free draining soil enriched with compost, topped with mulch to keep the roots cool and moist.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep the mulch topped up and water regularly for around 12 weeks while the plant establishes. Afterwards, water often in dry spells and wherever it sits in more sun. An organic liquid fertiliser applied regularly drives lush new growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e When the clump turns untidy, cut the stems to ground level. New shoots replace the old ones, so a hard tidy-up is safe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Variegated Shell Ginger as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, in 200mm pots in packs of 6 and in 300mm pots, sold singly. Tube stock arrives as a young shoot with a few leaves and builds into a clump with regular water and feeding. The potted sizes give a head start where you want height sooner. Our grower supplies the tube stock, and supply is not constant. If the tube shows as sold out, the grower has none at that moment, and the notify button on the page emails you the day it returns.\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\"\u003eBrowse our ornamental gingers\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 year round\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/tropical-plants\"\u003eMore tropical plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/variegated\"\u003eVariegated foliage plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I grow it where it frosts?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot in the ground. It prefers a position protected from frost, so in cooler climates grow it in a large container and move it to a sheltered spot for winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat if it looks tatty?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrune the stems to the ground. New shoots replace the old ones, and regular liquid fertiliser helps them come back lush.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow much room does it need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAllow about 2m of width and up to 3m of height. In a container it will stay smaller, but it still wants a large pot.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67789658063167,"sku":"ALP-ZER-tube","price":17.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"200mm (Pack of 6)","offer_id":67789658095935,"sku":"ALP-ZER-200MM-P6","price":238.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"300mm","offer_id":67789658128703,"sku":"ALP-ZER-300MM","price":181.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/variegated-shell-ginger-alpinia-zerumbet.jpg?v=1792193697","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/variegated-shell-ginger-alpinia-zerumbet","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}