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Hedychium ellipticum (Rock Butterfly Lily)

Rock Butterfly Lily, Hardy Ginger Lily, Shaving Brush Ginger

Hedychium ellipticum, Rock Butterfly Lily, Hardy Ginger Lily,  White Ginger, Perennial Plants, Perennial Flowers, Exotic Flowers
Hedychium ellipticum, Rock Butterfly Lily, Hardy Ginger Lily,  White Ginger, Perennial Plants, Perennial Flowers, Exotic Flowers

Hedychium ellipticum (Rock Butterfly Lily) is an upright perennial boasting handsome foliage of broad, strongly ribbed leaves adorned with thick red-stained stems. In late summer to early fall, very fragrant, creamy-white flowers appear in a dense flowerhead surrounded by a firework display of long, orange-red stamens. Rich with a pleasing spice fragrance, they resemble a brightly colored pin-cushion. Rock Butterfly Lily is one of the hardiest gingers. A beautiful foliage plant that is much admired when in bloom.

  • Grows up to 4-6 ft. high (120-180 cm) and 2-3 ft. wide (60-90 cm).
  • Performs best in full sun or part shade, in organically rich, moist, well-drained soils.
  • A pretty addition to beds and borders, containers, cottage gardens, or Mediterranean gardens.
  • Native to the Himalayas and East India.
  • Hedychium is part of the ginger family, Zingiberaceae, which includes culinary favorites like ginger (Zingiber officinale), turmeric (Curcuma longa), cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum), and galangal or Thai ginger (Alpinia galanga). Ornamental varieties are just as eye-catching, with species such as torch ginger (Etlingera elatior), shell ginger (Alpinia zerumbet), yellow ginger lily (Hedychium flavescens), white ginger lily (Hedychium coronarium), dense ginger lily (Hedychium densiflorum), and the tropical showstopper Kahili ginger (Hedychium gardnerianum).

Requirements

Hardiness 7 - 9
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Zingiberaceae
Genus Hedychium
Common names Ginger Lily
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Late), Fall
Height 4' - 6' (120cm - 180cm)
Spread 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 24" - 36" (60cm - 90cm)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Hedychium flavescens (Yellow Ginger Lily)
Hedychium coronarium (White Ginger Lily)
Hedychium ‘Tara’ (Ginger Lily)
Hedychium densiflorum (Dense Ginger Lily)
Hedychium ‘Tahitian Flame’ (Variegated Ginger Lily)
Hedychium gardnerianum (Kahili Ginger)

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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 7 - 9
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Zingiberaceae
Genus Hedychium
Common names Ginger Lily
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Late), Fall
Height 4' - 6' (120cm - 180cm)
Spread 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 24" - 36" (60cm - 90cm)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Hedychium (Ginger Lily) to pick?
Compare Now

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