The Heliconia schiedeana is hardy and it dies back and regrows each year. Also, it is easy to grow from seed. I got some seeds from the L.A. County Arboretum, where they have a lot of this heliconia, and they grew for me.

I also have a blue ginger in my back yard, and it regrows each year, even though there is never a frost where I live, but it might not be a true ginger.

Lars

Thanks Lars. I will look into both of those.

-Dale

Heliconia Schiedeana only blooms on second year growth so if they get frosted during the winter, it won't bloom. I've had this heliconia in the ground for 11 years and it's only bloomed once after an extremely mild winter. I don't protect it at all. You would have to erect some sort of temporary protection over it or container grow it for you to see blooms. However, the leaves definitely give you the tropical look.

Steve