- Botanical name: Hedychium coccineum 'Tara'
- Common name: Ginger lily
- Family: Zingiberaceae
- Plant Type: Perennial, Deciduous
Orange
Green
- Key features:
- Flowers
- Prefers rich soil
Related to ginger, Hedychium coccineum ‘Tara’ is native to south-east Asia. Exotic-looking but frost-hardy, it’s perfect for adding a touch of drama to a British garden. Large, strap-like leaves appear from June, followed by racemes of fragrant, showy orange-red blooms with spidery pink filaments and bright orange anthers. Both the flowers and foliage die down in winter.
For best results grow Hedychium coccineum ‘Tara’ in humus-rich soil in a partially shaded, warm sheltered spot. Water often and apply a liquid feed throughout summer. Despite being hardy, it’s worth applying a thick mulch around the base of the plant in autumn, to protect the crown. Alternatively, grow it in a pot, which you can move under glass for winter.
How to grow Hedychium 'Tara'
-
Plant size
2.5m height
100cm spread
-
Aspect
East facing, south facing, west facing
- Sun exposure: Dappled shade, partial shade
- Hardiness: Frost hardy
- Soil type: Clay / heavy / moist
- Plant care: Needs regular watering in pots
Plant calendar
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Plant | ||||||||||||
Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do not Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
Flowers | ||||||||||||
Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does not flower in June |
J
Plant does flower in July |
A
Plant does flower in August |
S
Plant does flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
Divide | ||||||||||||
Divide |
J
Do not Divide in January |
F
Do not Divide in February |
M
Do not Divide in March |
A
Do Divide in April |
M
Do Divide in May |
J
Do not Divide in June |
J
Do not Divide in July |
A
Do not Divide in August |
S
Do not Divide in September |
O
Do not Divide in October |
N
Do not Divide in November |
D
Do not Divide in December |
Prune | ||||||||||||
Prune |
J
Do not Prune in January |
F
Do not Prune in February |
M
Do not Prune in March |
A
Do not Prune in April |
M
Do not Prune in May |
J
Do not Prune in June |
J
Do not Prune in July |
A
Do not Prune in August |
S
Do not Prune in September |
O
Do not Prune in October |
N
Do Prune in November |
D
Do not Prune in December |
Hedychium 'Tara' and wildlife
Hedychium 'Tara' has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Hedychium 'Tara' poisonous?
Hedychium 'Tara' has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People