About
Hedychium coronarium, the white ginger lily, is an upright, rhizomatous perennial growing to 3 m with lance-shaped, mid-green leaves to 60 cm. From midsummer to early autumn it produces erect, terminal spikes of intensely fragrant, pure-white, butterfly-like flowers with a yellow marking at the throat. One of the most powerfully fragrant of all tender perennials.
About the genus
Hedychium, the ginger lilies, are rhizomatous perennials with erect, unbranched stems bearing two ranks of lance-shaped leaves and dense, terminal racemes of showy, often fragrant, butterfly-like flowers in white, yellow, orange, red or pink. Grown in sheltered, moist, sunny borders or heated conservatories.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Sand, Loam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Sub-tropical
FragranceFlower
Care notes
CultivationOutdoors, grow in humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Shelter from cold winds and consider applying a deep mulch of garden compost or leafmould to protect the rhizomes in frost prone areas. In containers or under glass, use a peat-free,loam-based compost such as John Innes No 3 and grow on in bright indirect light
PruningNo pruning required other than cutting back the foliage and old flower spikes at the end of the season
PropagationPropagate by seed at 21-24°C (70-75°F) as soon as ripe. Divide rhizomes in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and aphids under glass
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free