Native Ginger
Alpinia caerulea
Easy to grow, delicious to eat, and very decorative.
Indigenous to rainforests of Eastern Australia, native ginger is a beautiful and versatile plant. It is also known as native redback ginger as the foliage is gold-green backed with rusty red. Insect-attracting creamy-white flowers are followed by clusters of deep blue berries much loved by birds.
Most parts of the plants are edible, including the leaves. They have a mild ginger/pepper flavour – use them to wrap parcels of fish before baking or steaming. While the flesh of the berries is edible, the seeds can be poisonous so best to avoid them and stick to eating the delightfully fragrant rhizomes. These are milder in flavour than traditional ginger but are perfect for adding a light gingery spice to curries, desserts and tea.
How to Grow and Enjoy Native Ginger
Native ginger is a relatively easy plant to grow. It likes well-drained soil high in organic matter, prefers full or partial shade and will need to be watered regularly, especially during hot, dry weather. Keep it producing well with regular applications of organic liquid fertiliser.
The handsome foliage brings life to otherwise dark, shady spots in the garden.
There is nothing like a brew of fresh ginger and lemon to chase the winter ills away – enjoy!
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