October 13, 2008

Fragrance in the Garden

an orange ginger in full bloom

a yellow ginger

Just a few weeks ago we talked about plants that provide fragrance in the garden–four o’clocks and angels trumpets. Another one to add to your list of must-haves for plants whose flowers have a heavenly scent is the ginger lily (hedychium). This carefree perennial spreads by underground rhizomes and can quickly form a sizable clump; in a few years you will have lots to share or to start a new spot in your landscape. I normally dig and divide in the spring. Make certain to plant them where you will have the opportunity to stop and smell the spike-like flower on a daily basis. Another positive for the ginger lily is that it blooms mid to late summer/early fall giving your garden, which by then may be empty of your summer annuals, a vibrant burst of color. Most of my gingers started blooming a few weeks ago. Ginger flowers grow on top of the long stems; the plants have very large deep green leaves. They prefer well-drained fertile soil and ample water during the summer. There are very large gingers that can grow 8 or more feet tall and dwarf ones which may get just a couple of feet high. Gingers come in all sorts of colors; the hummingbirds love them. Although they can handle full sun if their roots are shaded, gingers much prefer some light shade, especially from the afternoon sun. Gingers are tropicals and north of my zone 7A/8B some will probably not survive the winter. Some gingers are also less hardy in my climate zone. It is best to do a little research on the growing habits of a particular ginger before you add it to your garden. It is possible also to plant them in large pots but they will need additional winter protection if you do. Cut back the long stem at the first frost and mulch the roots well. The following summer the gingers will emerge from the ground, soon again delighting your senses of smell and sight.

A ginger in bloom reminds me of a trip to some far away tropical paradise; if you can’t make the trip in person, a ginger in your garden can still take you there.