hedychium vellosum tenuiflorum

Description

Hedychium villosum var. tenuiflorum

Hedychium villosum var. tenuiflorum, commonly known as the Slender-flowered Ginger Lily, is a striking perennial from the Zingiberaceae family native to the eastern Himalayan regions. This elegant variety reaches heights of 0.5-0.7metres (18-24″ ), forming upright clumps with lance-shaped foliage and terminal flower spikes. The graceful blooms feature delicate, long-petalled white flowers with extended stamens that create a feathery appearance, emitting a sweet fragrance most pronounced in evening hours.

In UK gardens, this tender plant requires a sheltered position with dappled shade and protection from strong winds. It thrives in humus-rich, moisture-retentive soil that never dries completely. Winter protection is essential in most British regions, either through mulching in milder areas or lifting rhizomes for frost-free storage. In conservatories or heated greenhouses, it can be grown year-round in containers.

Propagation is readily achieved by rhizome division in spring. Regular feeding during the growing season promotes robust flowering, whilst deadheading extends the blooming period from late summer into autumn.