Butterfly Ginger

Butterfly Ginger (White Ginger)

Botanical name: Hedychium coronarium

Bloom type: Tropical Perennial 

The flowers of Hedychium coronarium are large and fragrant on tropical-appearing plants which like hot and humid summers and consistently moist soils. It will grow best in zones 8-10 but may do well in zone 7 in protected areas with a heavy winter mulch. Hedychium means "sweet snow," which may refer to the fragrant white blooms, or to the white insides of the edible, spicy tubers.

If grown in containers in cooler areas, they should be overwintered indoors in a greenhouse or cool, dry, frost-free location.

Information sourced from the NC Master Gardener Plant Toolbox