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.
Advertisement
Plant calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Plant
yes
yes
Flowers
yes
yes
yes
Divide
yes
yes
Prune
yes
Hedychium ‘Tara’ and wildlife
Hedychium ‘Tara’ has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
