Kaempferia pulchra – Bronze Peacock II
In the early days of ginger collecting, the most common cultivar of Kaempferia pulchra was ‘Mason,’ followed by ‘Bronze Peacock.’ During the boom of tissue cultured gingers, someone placed a new Kaempferia pulchra cultivar into production under the name ‘Bronze Peacock.’ This cultivar shares some features but is clearly a different collection all together. Given the widespread range of this new cultivar we felt it was best to keep the name but add the ‘II’ to acknowledge the difference.
‘Bronze Peacock II’ is a slightly smaller variety but faster growing than the original. It has more rounded leaves and also is unique in having red undersides to the leaves. This cultivar is more easily found in the trade as the original Bronze Peacock is now quite rare. It grows to 5 inches in shade and makes a lovely ground cover with its patterned velvety brown leaves. Hardy in Zone 8 and above. Blooming habit is the same among K. pulchra cultivars.