Hedychium forrestii (Ginger Lily)

Sweet smelling white flowers and prominent yellow stamens crown this plant in late summer or early autumn. Hedychium is a family of plants from India, South East Asia and Madagascar. They are tall plants, maybe 2m, with large leaves on fat stems growing from a fat and juicy rhizome, (think fresh ginger root), that tend to be plants of woodland margins, though the 'Forestii' bit of the name is from the plant-hunting George Forrest rather than the habitat.

Family Description

The Ginger Lilies are a family of plants from southern and eastern Asia where they grow on the margins of open woodland. A beautiful and dramatic plant with strong upright stems, large stem-clasping leaves and sweetly scented flowers. The flower spikes appear in late summer, often orange or white and with long and brightly coloured stamens. They are therefore happiest in a moist, (but not sodden,) rich soil and some light shade. They have fleshy rhizomes - think ginger roots -  and while some are relatively hardy, others are more tender, so for many gardens, a heavy winter mulch seems to be sufficient protection but depending on conditions. The rhizomes may need to be lifted, stored over winter and started into growth indoors before planting out in the spring

Growing in a pot works pretty well - especially in very cold gardens. Keep frost free in the winter and they'll remain evergreen. Wakehurst Place in Sussex is a great place to see them growing outside. Many of the species and forms they have growing there were introduced by Tony Schilling, Curator of the gardens in the 1980s and 90s from expeditions by him to Asia. The forms 'Steven' and 'Tara' are named after his son and his daughter.

All propagated by us either by division or micropropagation.