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Hedychium

Phonetic Spelling
he-DEE-kee-um
Description

Hedychium is a genus of around 80 herbaceous perennial plants in the Zingiberaceae (ginger) family native to Asia. They have thick fleshy rhizomatous roots but are not the type used in cooking. These plants can grow 3-6 feet tall and 2-3 wide. They have tropical-looking foliage, and the flowers are usually very fragrant, blooming in summer. Some species can survive down to zone 7B with protection. 

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.

Several types of hardy ginger are used for essential oil production.

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.

 

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Juniper Level Botanic Garden: Banana Beds
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Daniel Weeks', Peach Delight
Tags:
#fragrant flowers#white flowers#pink flowers#yellow flowers#summer flowers#border middle#small group plantings#tropical feel#container plant#landscape plant sleuths course
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Daniel Weeks', Peach Delight
Tags:
#fragrant flowers#white flowers#pink flowers#yellow flowers#summer flowers#border middle#small group plantings#tropical feel#container plant#landscape plant sleuths course
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Hedychium
    Family:
    Zingiberaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Essential oils are extracted from some of the plants
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Asia, Madagascar, Indonesia
    Wildlife Value:
    Birds and small mammals will eat the fruits
    Edibility:
    Roots are edible but not flavorful
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    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
    Orange
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Funnel
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Fragrant four-petalled flowers with long stamens, resembling butterflies, appear at the top of the plant in clusters in summer. They can be white, yellow, and orange. Most open from the bottom upward over several weeks to several months, each floret lasting only a few days.
  • 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:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The green lance-shaped leaves can be up to 2 feet long and 4-6 inches wide. The sheathed leaves are widely spaced and alternate with entire margins and pointed tips. Some may have a few hairs on the undersides.
  • 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
    Children's Garden
    Garden for the Blind
    Nighttime Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds