About
Hedychium ellipticum, the shaving-brush ginger, is a borderline-hardy, rhizomatous perennial to 1.4 m with broadly lance-shaped leaves. In mid to late summer it produces exotic-looking, spidery, white flowers with long, prominent stamens tipped with conspicuous orange anthers. A dramatic and ornamental ginger lily for a sheltered, moist, sunny border.
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
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, City and courtyard gardens, Patio and container plants, Sub-tropical
Care notes
CultivationOutdoors, grow in humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in full sun in warm and sheltered site. Provide a deep, dry winter mulch. Under glass grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in bright, filtered light. Water freely in the growing season and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser every 2 weeks; water sparingly in winter
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed or division of rhizomes in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and aphids
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free