Hedychium is a large genus that attracts a large and obsessive horticultural. The species also cross pollinate freely, and a wide variety of hybrids have been developed in cultivation or found growing in the wild. The wild species are often interfertile, but from time to time they decline to co-operate.
In the open ground in the UK they often fail to flower. The evergreen varieties in particular require a longer growing season than is usual here. Developing flower buds in October or November are killed by cold weather.
Hedychium is coffee brown herb that is generally grown in tropical Asia and in the Himalayas. It grows with green leaves and orange & white flowers. Extracted through steam distilled method, it has a strong aroma that has medium consistency.
HedychiumCalled "butterfly" gingers. It is short to tall plants with colorful and fragrant flowers. Go dormant after first frost. Enjoy medium to full sun. Gingers are the queen flowers of the plant world. They are the source of wondrous fragrances and possess exquisitely delicate foliage and flowers. The fragrance of some butterfly gingers will take your breath away. Gingers enjoy a special position in the botanical kingdom with their elegance in form and texture, sparkling color and amazing symmetry. The word ginger conjures up images of an exotic oriental food flavoring. Gingers are classed as herbaceous perennial and have enjoyed popularity as an ornamental plant in Asia and the Far East for centuries. Only recently have they become known as outstanding ornamentals in the U.S. Gingers as group add outstanding exotic foliage and exotic flowers to the landscape. Gingers are wonderful plants for southern climates and protected northern climates. In both areas gingers are finding favor as interior landscape plants and most do very well in containers. Gingers are heavy feeders and drinkers during the growing season. Most do best in partial shade; however some thrive in full sun, others in full shade.
Hedychium coronarium 'White Butterfly' is the Mariposa, the national flower of Cuba. Everyone should have a White Butterfly in their yard! Hedychium coronarium 'White Butterfly'- Called 'White Butterfly' ginger. It is the most fragrant of the Hedychium and is the largest flower and the hardiest. Few other plants are as redolent as this mariposa. Originally from India and Indonesia, it traveled to Hawaii, where it remains popular for use in leis.
Hedychium is a perennial plant native to India and Nepal. Hedychium has become a major weed in a number of countries including New Zealand and the United States of America, in particular, Hawaii. The popularity of Hedychium as a garden plant increases the risks that it may establish and spread in Queensland.
Benefit & Uses: It acts as an anti-nausea agent and has carminative properties. Slightly tranquilizing in nature, it is also used as tonic, antibiotic, anti-asthmatic, anti-inflammatory and stimulant.
Although the roots of gingers are quite hardy the foliage soon turns to mush with the first hard frost. After the first frosts, trim the stems to the ground using secateurs. By leaving a reasonable bit of stem on the plant will still be able to locate where the plants are after they have been mulched. This prevents slicing through the colony by mistake (and any ensuing depression) the following spring. Pull up any weeds that may have established amongst the rhizomes. Ginger rhizomes have the habit of rising to the surface so it is important to give them good thick mulch. Use weed-seed free mulch for this.
Its woody, spicy & peculiar odor like roots, it is used in perfume formulations. It is used in hair oil especially to prevent baldness and hair fall and makes them more manageable and it is useful in local inflammations, nausea, asthma, bronchitis, hiccups and in pain. It counteracts had mouth taste and smell.
It is used in the Ayurvedic medicine system of the Indian subcontinent as a stimulant, tonic and to help treat rheumatism. A decoction of the rhizome is used as a gargle for sore throats and tonsillitis, and chewed for the same purposes. The roots and leaves are also used for nasal polyps, and fevers.