Buy Kahili ginger lily Hedychium gardnerianum

Hedychium gardnerianum

Position: full sun or partial shade
Soil: humus-rich, moist soil
Rate of growth: average
Flowering period: August to October
Hardiness: frost hardy (may need winter protection)

Originating from the Himalayas, this is probably one of the hardiest hedychiums. The foliage is dramatic and architectural and can grow up to 40cm long, so it looks great in borders with a tropical theme. The flowers however are the crowning glory. In late summer to early autumn dense spikes of sweetly scented yellow flowers, each with protruding red stamens, top the leafy stems. Given plenty of space, this is a glamorous and spectacular plant to bring an exotic look to your garden.
Garden care: Plant the rhizomes into pots using a good soil-based compost such as John Innes No2. The rhizome should be placed horizontally just below the surface of the soil with the small reddish-coloured buds facing upwards. Water well and then grow on under glass until all risk of frost has passed. Alternatively, store the rhizomes in a cool, frost-free place (such as a garage, shed or unheated porch) until they can be planted straight out in the garden. Keep well watered during the summer, but dry during winter. The rhizomes should be covered in the autumn with a deep, dry mulch, or brought inside and kept in a frost-free spot until the spring when they can be planted outside again.