Hedychium coccineum
A rhizomatous ginger native to Asia grows on forest edges and in mountain grasslands to about 4–7 ft tall, bears flowers ranging from red to orange to yellow, and prefers partial sun but tolerates full sun.
Common Names
Scarlet Ginger Lily, Red Ginger Lily, Orange Bottlebrush Ginger, Orange Gingerlily
Summary
Scarlet Ginger Lily, also called orange bottlebrush ginger, is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial native to the Himalayas and parts of Asia, including India, Indochina, and southern China. It forms upright clumps up to about 1.5–2 m tall with dark-green, lance-shaped leaves up to 20 cm long, and bears fragrant orange-red flowers arranged in large cylindrical inflorescences.
It thrives in humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil and can tolerate full sun but prefers some shade; regular watering supports bloom. Propagation is by seed or division in spring; common landscape uses include architectural, cottage/informal plantings, borders, patios, and container plantings.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
4 ft 11 in – 9 ft 10 in
Spread
2-3 feet
Hardiness Zones
Zones 7a-12
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally full sun to partial sun; tolerates partial shade.
Soil Type
Moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil with ample organic matter; pH 5.6–6.5.
Soil Drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Tolerates all pH levels
Bloom Color
Orange to red
Bloom Time
Summer to Fall
Foliage Color
Green
Fall Foliage Color
Green
Leaf Lifecycle
Deciduous
Growth Rate
Fast-growing with vigorous growth
Seasons of Interest
Summer and Fall
Propagation Methods
Seeds and Division
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- Buch.-Ham. ex Sm.
- Publication
- in Rees A., Cycl. 17 (2):Hedychium no. 5. (1811)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Zingiberales
- Family
- Zingiberaceae
- Subfamily
- Zingiberoideae
- Tribe
- Zingibereae
- Genus
- Hedychium
Inferior Taxa
Hedychium coccineum var. flavum Hedychium coccineum var. longifolium Hedychium coccineum var. roscoei
Synonyms
Hedychium angustifolium Hedychium aurantiacum Hedychium coccineum var. angustifolium Hedychium coccineum var. squarrosum Hedychium longifolium Hedychium squarrosum