CHARLES REYNOLDS: Variegated shell ginger

This evergreen ginger (Alpinia zerumbet), from Southeast Asia, is extremely popular. Up to 12 feet tall on sites that are heavily enriched with compost and manure, variegated shell ginger revels in bright, dappled light. Plants bear dangling chains of pinkish, shell-shaped flowers with yellow-and-gold interiors in spring. Propagate by division.