Hedychium densiflorum
dense ginger lily
A clump-forming perennial with stems to 1.5m in height, and glossy, lance-shaped, mid-green leaves 30-40cm in length. In late summer produces fragrant orange or yellow flowers in dense, cylindrical spikes 20cm long
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Orange Yellow | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Zingiberaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Suckering
- 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
- Plant range
- Nepal, E Himalaya
How to grow
Cultivation
Outdoors, 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. Under glass use a loam-based compost such as John Innes No 3 and grow in bright, indirect light
Propagation
Propagate by seed at 21-24°C as soon as ripe. Divide rhizomes in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Coastal
- Flower borders and beds
- Wall side borders
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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