Grandiflora
Family
Zingiberaceae
Botanical Name
Hedychium coronarium
Plant Common Name
Butterfly Ginger, Butterfly Lily, White Garland Lily
General Description
Grown for its intensely fragrant flowers that hover like butterflies atop tall leafy stems, this tender herbaceous perennial is native from the Himalayan foothills to Southeast Asia.
The head-high stems of butterfly ginger arise from shallow creeping rhizomes in spring. The stems bear two opposite ranks of long, rich green, canna-like leaves with downy undersides. In late spring and summer, white fluttery flowers open from cone-like clusters at the stem tips. Comprising a broad upright two-lobed "lip" and two narrower lateral lobes, the white blossoms have yellow-stained centers. They release a sweet, delightful fragrance, especially at dawn and dusk. If pollinated, the flowers give rise to orange ovular fruit that split to reveal orange and red seeds that are enjoyed by birds.
A lover of warm humid summers and cool dryish winters, butterfly ginger does best in partial sun and fertile, humus-rich soil. It fares poorly in hot arid conditions. Evergreen in mild climates, it will go dormant in the colder parts of its hardiness range, where it should be mulched to keep its rhizomes from freezing. Where hardy, it is unsurpassed for lending a tropical look to a mixed border or foundation plantings. Elsewhere, grow it in a container, kept in humid conditions during the growing season and in a cool dry place in winter.
Dozens of hybrid cultivars have been developed, with different flower colors including yellow, peach, pink, orange, and red. They make great cut flowers, and are traditional components of Polynesian leis. The flowers and flower buds are edible and are considered a delicacy in Thailand.
This plant is considered an invasive weed in several regions including southern Brazil.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 7
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USDA Hardiness Zone
7 - 15
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Tender Perennial
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Sun Exposure
Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
4'-7' / 1.2m - 2.1m
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Width
3'-5' / 0.9m - 1.5m
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Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer
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Native To
Southern Asia, Southeastern Asia, India, Nepal, China
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Average
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Soil type
Loam
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Tolerances
Wet Site
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Upright/Erect
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White, Yellow
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Fruit Color
Red, Orange
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Fruit Color Modifier
Multi-Color
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Light Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Green, Dark Green
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
Yes
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Bold
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
Semi-Evergreen
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Container, Cutflower, Edible, Feature Plant, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Tropical
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
Sometimes
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Self-Sowing
Yes
