Hedychium greenii - Coral Ginger

The Hedychium greenii, also known as Coral Ginger, is a botanical species with a small stature, quite different from the others. This ornamental ginger develops beautiful brown stems tinged with red that bear large leaves of a shiny green-grey colour with a red-purple underside, particularly ornamental. Its late summer flowering consists of short heads of large variegated flowers in shades of red, orange, and salmon pink, a hue reminiscent of coral. It perfectly harmonises with the colours of its vegetation. This unusual plant also produces tiny seedlings on the old flower heads, which the wind disperses. A plant to be used without moderation in a garden of exotic inspiration, spectacular in a large pot on the terrace, to be stored away in winter.

The Hedychium greenii, sometimes spelt greenei, is a rhizomatous and non-spreading plant belonging to the family Zingiberaceae, just like the ginger we sometimes use in cooking. This plant is native to the forests covering the foothills of the Himalayas in Bhutan and the Northeast of India. It is found up to 1300m (4265ft) altitude on humus-rich soils, rich in organic matter, but well-drained.

This coral ginger forms a beautiful clump of leafy stems from April onwards, which, in our climates, will rarely exceed 1.20m (4ft) in height and 70-80cm (28-32in) in width. It anchors itself with vigorous rhizomes that tend to emerge from the ground, weakening the stump against severe frosts. Flowering takes place in September-October, at the tips of the stems, in the form of small conical clusters composed of 5 or 6 flowers, 7cm (3in) long, sometimes fragrant, somewhat resembling those of gauras with their structure consisting of small petals surrounding prominent stamens. Their colour is a unique blend of salmon, orange, and red, accentuating the red tones on the stems and leaves. They attract many bees but curiously never produce seeds in cultivation. All cultivated plants seem to be derived from a single individual, collected before 1908 by M. Green, and grown. Multiplied only by the removal of seedlings, this specimen may have lost its fertility. Attempts to find this plant in its original location have been unsuccessful, leaving the mystery unresolved.

Cultivate ornamental gingers in large pots where winter frosts are severe by planting three plants per 25 cm (10in) pot. Hedychium greenii, still capable of withstanding winter temperatures around -10 to -12°C, provided with healthy soil and winter protection on the stump, can be cultivated without particular difficulties in coastal areas, for example, but away from the scorching sun. In the garden, a tropical-inspired bed can be created by associating, for instance, Hedychium greenii with a Chinese palm tree or a Japanese banana tree against a backdrop of giant canna. The ornamental ginger can be planted near a water source in mild climates, as it also appreciates waterlogged soils during its growing season. In a coastal garden, it will accompany the flowering of abutilons, Cassia, Lantana, brugmansia, or even the lesser-known Iochroma cyaneum.