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Kahali Ginger Hedychium gardnerianum

Phonetic Spelling
hed-EE-kee-um gard-nair-ee-AH-num
Description

Kahali Ginger is an herbaceous, flowering perennial in the ginger family native to India, Nepal, and Bhutan. It has thick fleshy rhizomatous roots that spread and form colonies. Kahali Ginger is an erect and clumping plant that can reach a mature height of 8 feet with tropical-looking foliage. The flowers are very fragrant, blooming in late summer. Kahali Ginger is considered an invasive plant in Hawaii where each plant will spread rapidly by stolons, creating dense mats that crowd out other plants. The conspicuous, fleshy, red seeds are dispersed by birds as well as man.

These tropical plants prefer moist, well-drained, organically rich soils in full sun. They lend a tropical look to the garden as well as fragrant flowers. Use in groups, borders or containers. They are typically grown as an ornamental in containers, but it can tolerate an occasional frost. While best taken indoors in winter months, it can be maintained in a warm, sheltered spot with deep mulch and where temperatures do not fall below freezing.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

No known diseases or insect pests.

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.

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Tags:
#fragrant flowers#herbaceous perennial#rhizomatous#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#tropical feel#container plant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant flowers#herbaceous perennial#rhizomatous#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#tropical feel#container plant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Hedychium
    Species:
    gardnerianum
    Family:
    Zingiberaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    India, Nepal, and Bhutan
    Distribution:
    Hawaii, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Central America.
    Wildlife Value:
    Birds and small mammals will eat the fruits
    Edibility:
    Roots are edible but not flavorful
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Three-part capsules change from green to brown as they ripen in the late fall. Each contains a fleshy orange aril.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Spike
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Funnel
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Description:
    Fragrant pale yellow and red flowers in dense spikes above the foliage appear towards the end of summer.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Sheath
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Long, bright green leaves clasp the tall stems.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    The pseudostems arise from the rhizomes and are composed of long, succulent, interlocked leaf petioles similar to canna lilies.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Patio
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds