About
This tender, clump-forming perennial with oblong, mid-green leaves up to 25cm long and bright red, butterfly-like flowers produced in summer in cylindrical spikes 12cm long.
About the genus
Hedychium are rhizomatous perennials with erect, unbranched stems bearing two ranks of lance-shaped leaves, and dense terminal racemes of showy, often fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeConservatory Greenhouse, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitSuckering
FoliageDeciduous
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCoastal, City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Sub-tropical
Native toE Himalaya to Assam
FragranceFlower
Care notes
CultivationOutdoors, grow in humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Shelter from cold winds and consider apply a deep mulch of garden compost or leafmould to protect the rhizomes in frost-prone areas. 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
PropagationPropagate by seed at 21-24°C as soon as ripe. Divide rhizomes in spring. Sometimes produces bulbils which can be sown when ripe
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and aphids under glass
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free