About
Hedychium forrestii Diels, Forrest's ginger lily, is a vigorous, easy-going ginger lily to 1.5 m with large, broad, lance-shaped, dark grey-green leaves. Large, white, strongly scented flowers that are aromatic both day and evening appear from late summer through to October. A rewarding 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, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
Native toAsia
FragranceFlower
Care notes
CultivationOutdoors, grow in humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Shelter from cold winds and apply 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 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
PropagationDivide rhizomes in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and aphids under glass
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free