Posted 10:33 pm Thursday, September 20, 2012
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Butterfly ginger a must for ETexas area gardeners
By DEE BISHOP
In Our Garden
See the lovely white butterflies? This ginger is a must for those of you who love white flowers and the delicious fragrance of gardenias or honeysuckle. I never can decide which they smell most like -- - gardenias or honeysuckle, whichever, they are delightful. Long ago someone named them 'Butterfly Ginger' which is just perfect since they resemble a cluster of beautiful white butterflies .
In Our Garden
See the lovely white butterflies? This ginger is a must for those of you who love white flowers and the delicious fragrance of gardenias or honeysuckle. I never can decide which they smell most like -- - gardenias or honeysuckle, whichever, they are delightful. Long ago someone named them 'Butterfly Ginger' which is just perfect since they resemble a cluster of beautiful white butterflies .
Butterfly Ginger, (Hedychium coronarium) have been a favorite in the deep South for generations and have been passed along from gardener to gardener for ages. My dad brought some to my grandmother in the 1930s while working in Louisiana. She kept them and passed them on to me in the 1970s and I have had them ever since. They went with me to every house all across the South and I have passed hundreds on to others. I have always loved my beautiful white butterflies that smell so glorious.
Butterfly Gingers are very easy plants to grow. They need rich organic soil that stays reasonably moist. They need several hours of morning sunlight but will take a half-day of shade. Any more shade and they will fall over. The more sun, the more water they need, but will hold themselves upright. They grow to six feet tall and their foliage is attractive too., very tropical looking.
There are many varieties of Hedychium and many colors from white to yellows, to reds, to pinks and all in between. We will offer some for sale in our October bulb sale. Come get some and enjoy the wonderful fragrance.
