Sunshine Coast Hinterland Times

Dichorisandra thyrsiflora
Blue ginger or Queens spiderwort
Belonging to a genus of about 25 herbaceous clumping perenials they are native to tropical America.  Dichorisandra have rhizomatour root stocks with reed like stems.  Although known as blue ginger it is not related to Zinzeberacea.  It is related to Tradescantia (spiderwort) and Commelina (dayflower).
Growing to 2m in height with glossy bright green leaves up to 300mm long and usually purplish red on the underside.  Flowers are borne on racemes up to 300mm long at ends of stems.  The striking blossoms are violet to pure blue, a colour uncommon in most gardens.  Flowering usually between February and April it looks spectacular next to yellow flowering plants such as Alamanda.
Although it would tolerate full sun, partial shade seems to produce brighter and larger blooms. A rich moist, humassy well drained soil is ideal. Propagation is by stem cuttings, root division or seed.  Needing very little attention and ideally suited to our relative high rainfall it is worthy of a place in most gardens.
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