Boesenbergia hamiltonii

I’m betting you’ve never grown a hardy boesenbergia. We hadn’t either until 2006, when we planted a patch without high expectations for survival…surprise! Although our plant wouldn’t be formally named as a new species until 2013, Boesenbergia hamiltonii, named after Scottish botanist Francis Hamilton (1762-1829), can be found on moist mountain forest floors in northeast India at elevations of up to 6,000′. Boesenbergia hamiltonii, which has survived 9 degrees F, so far, emerges in mid-to late June with 30″ tall, pleated, canna-shaped leaves that are followed in early July with orchid-like flowers. The flowers are white with a carmine face and emerge from the rhizome on 3″ stalks…simply unreal and very easy to grow in average garden soil in light shade.