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Herbaceous Perennial

Hedychium spicatum

spiked ginger lily

An erect, rhizomatous perennial to 1.5m, with large, lance-shaped leaves to 80cm long. In late summer and autumn it produces a spike of exotic-looking, scented, white and orange flowers

Other common names

Himalayan spiked ginger
perfume ginger

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Ultimate height

1–1.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Zingiberaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
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: S Asia

How to grow

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in bright indirect light. In the growing season water freely and apply a balanced liquid feed weekly. In winter keep just moist and remove old stems as they deteriorate. Outdoors grow in humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in partial shade, with shelter from cold winds. Cut back stems when frost blackens the foliage and apply a deep, dry winter mulch

Propagation

Propagate by division of rhizomes in spring; sow seed at 21-24°C as soon as ripe

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
Patio and container plants
Sub-tropical
Cottage and informal garden
City and courtyard gardens
Bedding
Conservatory and greenhouse
Flower borders and beds
Wall side borders

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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