Hedychium coronarium

Description

Hedychium coronarium is a tall growing fairly broad leaved jungly ginger growing up to at least 1.75cm high. Originating from temperate to cool tropical hillside slopes on the edge of the Indian Himalayas it is surprisingly hardy in milder U.K gardens. Forming dense arching leafy clumps to great effect for all us lovers of lush foliage. If grown outside the  rhizomes must by protected from frost by a layer or mulch.  The health benefits of Hedychium coronarium are extraordinary – like the ginger we eat here, it is edible but turbo charged and packed full of antioxidants alongside a plethora of other health benefits.  Even used in the care of animals in zoos!

Best known in Northern India for it’s wonderful fragrance produced by large almost moth like white flowers, a heady sweet jasmine – citrus scent that carries on the breeze. Unfortunately for us the flowers are generally produced late in the season and rarely make it here, unless of course you know different. For me I’d have one planted out just for the foliage and another in a container in the conservatory for dreamy fragrance in during the dull days of Autumn or early winter.