Hedychium coccineum 'Tara'

Related to ginger, Hedychium coccineum ‘Tara’ is native to south-east Asia. Exotic-looking but frost-hardy, it’s perfect for adding a touch of drama to a British garden. Large, strap-like leaves appear from June, followed by racemes of fragrant, showy orange-red blooms with spidery pink filaments and bright orange anthers. Both the flowers and foliage die down in winter.

For best results grow Hedychium coccineum ‘Tara’ in humus-rich soil in a partially shaded, warm sheltered spot. Water often and apply a liquid feed throughout summer. Despite being hardy, it’s worth applying a thick mulch around the base of the plant in autumn, to protect the crown. Alternatively, grow it in a pot, which you can move under glass for winter.