Information about Roscoea Lily

INFORMATION ABOUT ROSCOEA LILY...

By: Nikki Phipps

Roscoea (Roscoe's lily) is a small genus of late spring to summer-growing plants of the ginger family. The leaves are similar to that of a miniature sweet corn, with orchid-like flowers. The flowers are unusual and reminiscent of both orchids and ornamental gingers. Roscoeas are native to moist meadows and open woodlands of Nepal and China.

The plant was named in honor of William Roscoe, founder of the Liverpool Botanic Garden in 1802. The genus was brought into culture in the early 20th century. Flower colors range from yellow, red, and pink to blue and purple. Roscoea is also sometimes referred to as the ginger orchid.

Roscoea form small permanent colonies by means of slowly creeping rhizomes. Rhizomes should be planted 4 inches deep in moist, humus-rich soil and located in full sun to partial shade. Roscoea appreciate a deep planting and a thick layer of mulch for winter protection.

Successive flowers appear one at a time, occasionally two flowers at a time over a period of about a month. In autumn the growth dies down and underground rhizomes begin their dormancy for the winter period. Divide these plants every three years during dormant stage.

R. alpina has pink or mauve flowers. This species prefers to be located in cool areas of partial shade that mimic its native environment such as in woodland gardens and open slopes.

R .cautleoides has soft yellow flowers that are streaked with light purple.

The hardiest species, R. purpurea, is gaining popularity due to its beautiful purple flowers. This species enjoys a cool, shady site and deep winter mulch.

R. auriculata has light green leaves that are long and lance-shaped and brilliant, hooded, purple flowers that display white to pale violet markings on each petal.

All Roscoea species make beautiful subjects for containers, in spite of the long dormant season. These plants also look lovely in borders, rock gardens, and along the edges of a woodland garden.