My sister-in-law asked me once if I wanted to see ice cream cones.

“To eat?” I asked.

“No – just to see,” she said.

I thought that was a rather weird thing to suggest, until I actually saw what she meant.

Shampoo Ginger Cones are referred to as ice cream cones in Lae, Papua New Guinea where many other beautiful ginger plants are found. This plant species originated from Hawaii.

When it flowers, these tiny orchid-like bloom protrudes from the cones. It is hard to imagine that a tough, robust and rubbery bulb could produce such a delicate flower.

The featured collection (here) came from photos I took of my sister-in-law Esther Kauc’s garden. Both Esther and my mother have cultivated a wide range of ginger plants for the unique flowers and dense leafy coverage which provides shade and boundary for their homes.

Upon seeing the plants, I realised what Esther had meant. I didn’t…