Ginger Lily (Hedychium forrestii)

August 2002

Oh, Phil, another beautiful photo... or rather two of them! I'm not familiar with this plant... does it smell like ginger? I visited the entry, and I was amazed to see how tall it gets. Is this in your garden or is this one of those botanical garden items?

I took the photo in the Dublin Botanic gardens, but i have since bought it. In fact i've now got a little collection of gingers. I hope i get them throught the winter ok, they're not completely frost hardy. I've got an orange one, a red one and a small white one with lighter green leaves - all different spp. If they come through the winter i'll post photos next year.

Yes, the flowers smell sweet and gingery - very nice!
They grow a little like bananas, with the leaves unfurling. Sort of almost half way between a banana and a canna

Between a canna and a banana, Anna? Sorry, just had to do that! Isn't it exciting to venture forth in the spring to see what has survived? Of course, your winters are far less dramatic than mine. I have to wait for the snow to melt away and the first new shoots to appear.

Lol yes. Strangely enough one of my granddaughters is Anna :)

It would really be something to have grandchildren! All I have is my two granddoglets, but they keep me busy, so I can't complain. I think both my sons are confirmed bachelors!

Yes, they're a grand bunch. I've got four and they certainly keep me busy. Used to have two black labradors when the children were younger and I would have a dog now, but have noone to sit any doglets when i need to go places :(
Your son's very lucky to have a built in doglet sitter!

love this Philomel. I am currently looking for plants that grow high but dont spread out much. Do you grow these in a pot or in the ground to be lifted later?

Mine are still in the pots i bought them in, though i'm intending to pot them on and perhaps keep them in a porch overwinter.
Eventually i'll be putting them in south facing borders and mulch well to protect them in wintertime, though i'm also hoping to get a frostfree greenhouse or conservatory at some point which would be useful

Phil -- Beautiful! I've started a collection of Hedychium this year, but this is one I don't have. How big are the blooms?

Bit difficult to remember, but i think 2.5"-3" from top to bottom when fully open.
Thanks - i'd love to see some of yours. Which have you got?
You're climate will be much better suited i think!

very beautiful, gingers are my favorite !

I have H. x 'Kinkaku', H. Coronarium, H. Greenei, H. x 'Luna Moth', H. x 'Elizabeth', H. x 'Pink V', and I think H. coccineum 'Disney'...I would love to have them all!

kristins yours sound great! I have H. greenei, H. thyrsiforme (a smaller growing white), H. densiflorum 'Assam Orange' and of course H. forrestii
Can't wait to see them next year. Perhaps i'll have added some more by next flowering time........

I will probably have more by then, too :) I can't seem to quit buying new plants! The only Hedychium I took a picture of in bloom was the 'Kinkaku'. I posted it here if you're interested.