Overview
Hedychium spicatum from Salween Valley, China is a suckering conservatory greenhouse in the genus Hedychium, part of the Zingiberaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Hedychium spicatum from Salween Valley, China grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H2. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, city and courtyard gardens and coastal.
About
Hedychium spicatum, known as the spiked ginger lily from Salween Valley, China, is a deciduous, suckering herbaceous perennial in the Zingiberaceae family. Like other Hedychium species, it features upright, unbranched stems with two rows of lanceolate leaves and produces dense clusters of trumpet-shaped, often fragrant flowers in spring and summer. It thrives in fertile, moist but well-drained soils including chalk, loam, and sand, preferring full sun or partial shade with sheltered exposure. Suitable for conservatories or greenhouses, it is hardy to UK zone H2 and can be propagated by seed or rhizome division.
About the genus
Hedychium is a genus of flowering plants in the ginger family Zingiberaceae, native to lightly wooded habitats in Asia. There are approximately 70-80 known species, native to India, Southeast Asia, and Madagascar. Some species have become widely naturalized in other lands, and considered invasive in some places.
Wikipedia contributors, "Hedychium", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Hedychium
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Hedychium
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H2
Plant details
Hedychium spicatum from Salween Valley, China size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Conservatory Greenhouse, Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Suckering
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Hedychium spicatum from Salween Valley, China
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed at 21-24°C (70-75°C) as soon as ripe. Divide rhizomes in spring
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and aphids under glass
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Hedychium spicatum from Salween Valley, China?
Hedychium spicatum from Salween Valley, China prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Hedychium spicatum from Salween Valley, China need?
Hedychium spicatum from Salween Valley, China is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
Is Hedychium spicatum from Salween Valley, China hardy in the UK?
Hedychium spicatum from Salween Valley, China has an RHS hardiness rating of H2, meaning it is tender, tolerating 1–5°C, and needs frost-free protection over winter.
How do I propagate Hedychium spicatum from Salween Valley, China?
Propagate by seed at 21-24°C (70-75°C) as soon as ripe. Divide rhizomes in spring.
From the Fenn Plants journal
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More in the Hedychium genus
- Hedychium gardnerianumKahili ginger
- Hedychium spicatumspiked ginger lily
- Hedychium coccineumred ginger lily
- Hedychium densiflorumdense ginger lily
- Hedychium × raffillii of gardens 'C. P. Raffill'Ginger Lily