Roscoea

These choice ginger relatives give a touch of the exotic to a lightly shaded spot. Originating in the Himalayas and China, Roscoea form fleshy swollen roots (somewhere between orchids and Iris) slowly forming clumps of upright foliage, from which open stalkless clusters of orchid-like flowers. Best in a reasonable neutral to acid soil, but which doesn't dry out. The traditional flower colours are purple and cream, but with breeding, the range of cultivated forms has increased, along with the colour range.