The gingers are a fascinating and increasingly popular group of plants. The strong rhizomatic root systems throw annual shoots to 1.8m, topped by a dense head of flowers in late summer which look and smell gorgeous. Some are fully hardy and others, given a warm south facing wall with a protective mulch in winter, will survive reasonable frosts. The more tender varieties may not reach flowering maturity outside cultivated this way though. The alternative is to dig them up and keep in a frost free greenhouse or conservatory, starting into growth in early spring. To flower well they will need at least a 12 litre pot when mature.