A: The information I am sharing with you has come from the Cooperative Extension Service in Hawaii. Red ginger, Alpinia purpurata, is a tall, upright, herbaceous, evergreen plant. It is native to New Caledonia, New Hebrides, and British Solomon Islands and widely cultivated in the tropics and subtropics. This ornamental ginger was introduced to Hawaii as an ornamental before 1930, and is naturalized there in valleys and on the windward sides of the islands. Hawaiian red ginger grows well in rich soil and in wet habitats, but it can grow in dry areas as well in full sun to partial shade. Although there are some lucky people who have it here in Northeast Florida, it is better suited for cold hardiness zones 10 – 11 (Central and South Florida). The red spiked flower does attract butterflies and bees and works well in cut flower arrangements. http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/OF-37.pdf

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