I grow Gingers 100 miles west of Valdosta not far off US 84, about 50 miles north of Tallahassee. I grow Cardamon Ginger, Alpinias, Curcuma and Hedychium. There are others that I have seen growing in this area, many of the 'shampoo ginger' types do well.
Cardamon Ginger is the only one that stays near green most of the year, dying down only after several hard freezes. Alpinia eventually dies down but comes back easily as well. Curcuma falls over at the first frost and is slow to return in spring. Hedychium is frost tender, but returns well.
I kept Cardamon Ginger in the GH, some Alpinia and Hedychium in a greenhouse over the winter. Next fall the only one I bring in will be Cardamon and perhaps the variegated Alpinia, only because I like the appearance in the winter.
