(aka: Curcuma petiolata 'Snowdrift') Curcuma longa 'Snowdrift' is a spectacular variegated foliage form of the popular spice, turmeric, and a great addition to the world of hardy, deciduous hidden cone gingers. Curcuma 'Snowdrift' is a wide-edged sport of the popular Curcuma 'Emperor', discovered as a mutation by Richard O'Brien. Each 18" long x 4" wide tricolor leaf has a green center with a creamy white edge and light green highlights...each color irregularly weaving into each other. While Curcuma 'Emperor' has a pencil-thin border, Curcuma 'Snowdrift' has a cream edge that can reach 0.75" wide. Like all hidden cone gingers, Curcuma longa 'Snowdrift' is late to emerge, rarely making a garden appearance before mid-June in NC. The 8" tall, pale-pink, pine cone-like flowers emerge from the base in late summer.
