Hedychium gardnerianum

Bring a taste of the tropics into your garden with Kahili Ginger or Hedychium gardnerianum, There’s nothing shy or unobtrusive about this plant. The foliage is big and dramatic, and the plant produces tall stems that show off the leaves to perfection. But it is when it comes into bloom that this handsome plant really comes into its own. Flower spikes carrying up to fifty golden blooms contrast with prominent orange-red anthers, and to top it all, the blooms exude a delicious fragrance!

This member of the ginger family is frost tender, but the roots will tolerate occasional light frosts even though the leaves will die back. If you keep Hedychium gardnerianum as a container plant and move it into a protected spot in chilly weather, your Hedychium gardnerianum will remain evergreen. If you plan to leave it outdoors during cold winters, ensure that the soil is well-drained and cover the rhizomes with a thick layer of mulch. As long as the soil doesn’t freeze, the tubers will resprout when the weather warms up.