Our Ginger Lilies began to bloom late yesterday afternoon. Their perfume fills this area of the garden with an aroma reminiscent of Easter lily or rich honeysuckle.
We’ve waited all summer for the pleasure of their blooming, and our stand of lilies is filled with buds, ready to burst open in the warmth of late summer.
Ginger Lilies grow from rhizomes. These were a gift from a neighbor’s garden, and are hardy here in Zone 7.
Many cultivars need warmer winters than Virginia offers, but these lilies have survived and multiplied every year, creeping beyond their original bed.
These are called “Hardy White Butterfly Ginger Lily”, Hedychium coronarium, in the Plant Delights catalog, and grow to between 5′ and 6′ tall.
Aggressive growers, this stand of lily has grown thick and tall. Like a field of corn, it offers a formidable barrier. Make up your mind where you would like a permanent display before you plant the first tuber, because they aren’t easy to relocate once established.
The rhizomes are thick and tough.
I tried to dig out a few of these which were growing too far forward this spring, into the roses’ territory. It was a tough job, and I didn’t get all of the sprouting rhizomes I should have dug.
You can dig enough to spread these around once established, but I would recommend a backhoe if you decide to reclaim the garden bed for other plants.
But what a sweet problem to have! These Ginger Lilies are one of our favorite flowers in the garden.
We are so appreciative to the neighbor who shared them with us. We will enjoy a constant supply of white fragrant blossoms from now until a heavy frost. These are one of the sweetest joys of late summer in our garden.
Photos by Woodland Gnome 2014
Pass Along Plants: Ginger Lily (Forest Garden, 2013)
Forest Garden 
I’m glad you found these. We have them also. They are highly fragrant.
Something we can both grow 😉 We love their fragrance. More are opening every day now. I hope you have a very enjoyable weekend. Best wishes, WG
What a beautiful flower! And a great reward that the scent is lovely too! I lived in Miami for a few years and I had a ginger in my yard, and while it smelled great the flowers never looked like that. Enjoy!
Caroline
Dear Caroline,
There are several different species and cultivars with flowers in shades of pink, orange, and yellow. A good friend ordered rhizomes for a different ginger lily, grew it last summer, and even divided and shared it with me; but it didn’t make it through our winter this last year. I’m just glad that the species which will survive here is so pretty, and is fragrant, too 😉 Best wishes, WG