Hedychium coronarium
white ginger lily
An upright perennial growing from rhizomes to a height of up to 3m. Leaves are mid-green, up to 60cm long, lance-shaped and come to a narrow point. The flowers are borne from mid to late summer and are white with yellow marks at their bases and very scented
Other common names
butterfly lilyfragrant garland flower
see moregarland lily
Indian garland flower
white butterfly ginger lily
white ginger
Synonyms
Hedychium 'White Butterfly'Hedychium consanguinum
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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White | |||
| Autumn | White | Green | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Zingiberaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- 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
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Outdoors, 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 loam-based compost such as John Innes No 3 and grow on in bright indirect light
Propagation
Propagate by seed at 21-24°C (70-75°F) as soon as ripe. Divide rhizomes in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Sub-tropical
- Conservatory and greenhouse
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning required other than cutting back the foliage and old flower spikes at the end of the season
Pests
May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and aphids under glass
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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