Family: Zingiberaceae
Common Name: Ginger Lily

Native to tropical Asia, the Himalayas and Madagascar, these 40 or so rhizomatous peren­nials are grown for their large, handsome foliage and unusual, flamboyant flowers. They are grown under glass in frost-prone climates but are often bedded out for the summer.

Species

H. coccineum, red or scarlet ginger lily, grows to 2 m (6 ft), with showy, scarlet flowers throughout summer.

H. coronarium, white ginger lily or butterfly flower, grows to 1.5 m (5 ft), with large, glossy, dark green, succulent leaves. The exquisite, satiny, butterfly-like, white flowers are borne on 30 cm (12 in) long spikes and fill the air with their sweet scent in summer. They look very pretty in float bowls.

H. gardnerianum, Kahili ginger, grows to 2.5 m (8 ft), with 45 cm (18 in) spikes of yellow and scarlet blossoms lasting right through summer. The flowers are heavily scented.

Cultivation

Grow in a cool to intermediate greenhouse in pots of soil-based potting compost. Shade from direct sun and ensure a humid atmosphere. Reduce watering considerably in winter. Outdoors they need a moist soil rich in humus, shelter, and partial shade or full sun. Propagate by division in spring.

Climate

Zones 9 or 10.