Try tropical gingers for shady garden areas

Finding the right plants for shady garden areas can sometimes feel like a losing battle, but shade doesn’t have to be boring. Gardeners do not have to settle for plain green foliage and limited color.

I found two tropical beauties at the home of Denise Temple in Meridian that prove that shady gardens can be just as bold and vibrant as their sunny counterparts.

Curcuma, often called hidden ginger, is one of the most eye-catching shade plants you can grow.

This member of the ginger family sends up thick, upright stems topped with floral spikes that look almost sculpted. The true flowers are tucked inside colorful bracts. These bracts are what give the plant its showy display.

I have been growing a couple of curcuma varieties in my landscape for years. I always eagerly await their floral displays in the late summer and fall.

Depending on the variety, you may see bracts in soft blush pinks, brilliant fuchsias, creamy whites or even jewel-toned purples.

These layered bracts resemble exotic tulips or orchids and can last for weeks. Even after the flowers inside fade, the broad and slightly pleated leaves are bold and create a lush, tropical backdrop.

Curcumas prefer partial to full shade and thrive in moist, well-drained soil. Water regularly during dry spells and apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to keep curcumas looking their best.

These plants enjoy the warmth of our Southern summers, but they need protection from cold winters. In my south Mississippi landscape, they return reliably if mulched heavily to guard against freezes. In colder areas, dig up the rhizomes and store them indoors until spring.

Another shade-loving plant from the ginger family is variegated ginger. This plant brings an entirely different kind of beauty.

While it rarely flowers in Southern landscapes, when it does bloom, it produces drooping clusters of waxy, pearl-like buds. These are tipped in pink and open into white blooms with golden throats.

The blooms are fragrant and exotic, but the real show is the foliage.

Each broad, lance-shaped leaf is streaked with golden yellow and deep green, almost as though painted with a brush. The leaves arch gracefully from thick canes, giving the plant a soft, cascading look that adds rhythm and movement to the garden.

Variegated ginger thrives in rich, moist soil with plenty of organic matter. It grows best in partial shade, though it can handle some morning sun. These plants appreciate consistent moisture, especially in the heat of summer, and benefit from a layer of mulch to conserve water and keep roots cool.

In south Mississippi, they may die back during a hard freeze but often return from the roots in spring. In colder zones, grow variegated ginger in large containers and bring them indoors for the winter.

Curcuma and variegated ginger are two dependable choices for adding color, texture and tropical flair to shady spots. With a little care and the right conditions, these plants will turn ordinary shade gardens into lush tropical retreats.