Species roscoea
yellow-lime flower with yellow-green buds and green stems

roscoea

Roscoea cautleyoides

Roscoea cautleyoides is an evergreen herbaceous perennial belonging to the ginger family. Native to the Eastern Himalayas, this species is distinguished by its upright flowering stems, growing up to 80 cm in height. Its species name honors its discoverer, William Cautley. Roscoea cautleyoides is a striking plant, with fragrant, orchid-like flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white, and attractive foliage. The blooms appear from July to August, and planted in sheltered, humus-rich, moist soils, they will thrive. These hardy plants are an excellent choice for the woodland garden.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Seed Propagation,Cutting

Hardiness Zone:

6 - 8

Flowers:

Pale yellow Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

High

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Roscoea cautleyoides should be watered on a regular basis, but not to the point of saturation or waterlogging. Generally, water should be applied once every 5-7 days depending on the temperature and humidity. During the hotter months, it may be necessary to water every 3-5 days depending on the local conditions. As a general rule of thumb, it is best to allow the soil to just begin to dry out before watering again.

sunlight

Roscoea cautleyoides, a native of the Himalayas, thrives in bright sunlight during the day. The plant prefers full sun, meaning that it should be exposed to direct sunlight most of the day. If possible, the plant should get a minimum of 6-8 hours of direct sunlight a day to help it thrive. During the hottest days of summer, some light afternoon shade may be beneficial. Direct sunlight should be avoided during the hottest part of the day, typically late afternoon and early evening. Additionally, plants should be placed near a south-facing window to get the most direct sunlight possible.

pruning

Roscoea cautleyoides should be pruned in early summer, after flowering has occurred. Pruning should be light, to ensure that the plants full form and beauty is retained. If necessary, pruning should be used to thin out congested areas and to encourage bushier, thicker growth. Deadheading individual flowers may be necessary to encourage re-blooming. As it is a dwarf species, Roscoea cautleyoides plants should not be pruned more than lightly, as this will disrupt the unique shape of the plant.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Roscoea cautleyoides typically start flowering in June.

Hardiness Map