Part of the ginger family, this tender perennial is a rare treat for those seeking the exotic and unusual. Globba is commonly called ‘Dancing Ladies Ginger’, named for its intricate, pendulous flowers that sway in the breeze, resembling the twirling skirts of dancing figures. The curious blooms are carried on arching stems from July to August, dangling among its wide, lush green leaves.

Globba is native to tropical forests, flourishing on damp, well-drained soil, well away from the glare of scorching sun. This tender perennial melds effortlessly into exotic planting schemes, providing a leafy understorey to Musa and closely related Hedychium. It adds texture and movement with a tropical flair to warm, sheltered woodland borders, mingling among ferns, Hostas and other leafy shade-lovers. It’s equally happy in a pot as a glamorous conservatory specimen, or grown as a house plant on a warm, north facing windowsill.

Given its exotic background, this tender plant requires winter protection. When grown outdoors, the rhizomes are best lifted in Autumn and stored in a frost-free place until they can be replanted when warmer spring weather arrives.

How to plant

— Globba rhizomes are supplied in spring for planting between February and late May.

— They are best planted within 6 weeks of delivery. If rhizomes are received in May at the end of the planting season, they should be planted within a week of delivery. If you’re not ready to plant them as soon as you receive them, you can open the packets to let air circulate around the bulbs and store them in a cool, dry place. Don't store them for too long, they must be planted during spring in the same year that they're supplied to you.

— Globba are tender perennials and should be kept away from frost. They must be started off indoors or in a greenhouse in the spring and will need to be lifted in autumn for winter storage.

— Plant each rhizome into a 20cm diameter pot with multipurpose compost between March and May and grow them on indoors or in a heated greenhouse. You can also plant the tubers directly outside into borders or patio containers in May.

— Plant the rhizomes lengthways as a depth of around 5-10cm. plant with the side which has most buds or ‘eyes’ facing upwards.

— If planting directly outside in May, space the rhizomes around 20cm apart from each other. If planting in containers use a good quality multi-purpose compost.

— If you have grown on your Globba in a greenhouse during spring, you can plant it outside in May – it is best to harden it off first by putting outside only during the daytime for two weeks before eventually planting out. When transplanting outdoors, choose a sheltered position in dappled or light shade with damp, free-draining soil.

— Water-in after planting continue to water regularly when in growth. Allow the soil to dry out a little between watering. Don’t allow the dormant rhizomes to sit in soggy soil.

Aftercare:

— In late autumn, move containers of Globba into a frost-free location for winter.

— Rhizomes planted in borders should be lifted and stored in a cool but frost-free place until the following spring when they can be repotted.