Roscoea scillifolia

Roscoea scillifolia (17/08/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Dappled shade

Flowering period: Early to late summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 10cm – 30cm (variable)

Eventual Spread: 10cm

Hardiness: 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Family: Zingiberaceae

Roscoea scillifolia is a deciduous herbaceous perennial with a clump forming habit. Its mid green leaves are typically lanceolate with entire margins, up to 22cm long and 2cm broad. Its flower colour is variable, appearing white, pink or mauve, they are tube shaped and up to 25mm long. Its roots are short rhizomes and tuberous roots which aids its slow spread.

Roscoea scillifolia Flower (17/08/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Roscoea scillifolia is native to Yunnan Province, China. In its native habitat it grows in cooler mountainous regions. This species of plant may be extinct in the wild.

The etymological root of the binomial name Roscoea is named for William Roscoe (1753 – 1831), founder of the Liverpool Botanic Garden. Scillifolia is derived from the Latin Scilla (another genus of perennial) and folium meaning ‘leaf’.

The landscape architect may find Roscoea scillifolia useful as a low ground cover perennial suitable for planting in dappled shade locations.

Ecologically, Roscoea scillifolia flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

Roscoea scillifolia Leaf (17/08/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Roscoea scillifolia prefers moist, fertile, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It dislikes dry soils.

Roscoea scillifolia requires little maintenance.