Roscoea purpurea
Roscoea purpurea
Safety & Hazards
None known
Cultivation Details
Roscoea purpurea is a surprisingly hardy plant for a member of the ginger family and is able to withstand temperatures falling as low as -20°c when it is dormant in the winter - though it needs to be planted at least 15cm below soil level and given a protective mulch. The young growth in spring, however, can be damaged by late frosts[1]. Grows best when given a position in partial shade on a sheltered peat bank or in a woodland garden, preferring a rich but well-drained acid, peaty loam[1]. Plants are intolerant of drought and might need supplementary watering during dry periods when in growth, especially in the spring and early summer[1]. The plant is often grown as an ornamental, valued especially for its showy flowers in the summer[1].
Propagation
Seed - Division in the spring as the plant comes into growth[1]. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-21. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Roscoea+purpurea>
Pollinators
Insects
References
- [1]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
- [2]Assessment of Nutritional and Antioxidant Potential of Selected Vitality Strengthening Himalayan Medicinal Plants — Sandeep Rawat, Harish Andola, Lalit Giri, Praveen Dhyani, Ar · ISBN 1094-2912 ↩︎
- [3]Rare and Endangered Medicinal Orchids of Asthavarga Group in Attaranchal - Habenaria intermedia (Virdhii) and Habena — Manmohan Jagatram Dobriyal · 2002 ↩︎