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Ginger Lilies Are Wonderful, Tall, Colorful Additions To Gardens

By Kenneth Clark


If you love to spend time puttering in your garden, you probably already know what kinds of flowers thrive in it and which ones wither and die. When you need something dramatic, and aromatic, to use as a colorful backdrop for smaller clusters of blooms, you should consider ginger lilies. They are tall, some species reaching ten feet, and will make a dramatic and majestic addition to your garden.

You may think you are unfamiliar with these flowers, but if you have ever been to Hawaii, and been gifted with a lei as you stepped off the plane, these blooms were probably incorporated into it. The plant is also known as the butterfly lily because of the graceful way the petals expand in the summer and fall. They have a ginger scent that is not as strong as the herb. Some gardeners describe the aroma as a cross between honeysuckle and gardenia.

If you live in the southern region of the United States, between zones seven and eleven, you should have a lot of success with these plants. They will thrive in partial shade and sun. If you live in southern Florida however, the afternoon sun will probably be too hot for this flower. In colder regions, they grow very well in containers, which have to be relocated indoors during the winter.

These plants are not at all drought resistance. They need regularly watering and feeding with a balanced fertilizer about every seven days. Plants in containers have to be divided annually because the rhizomes will multiply. The tallest of the plants should be staked so they don't snap on a windy day.

One big advantage of growing this lily is that the oil it generates repels most insects. Although they need regular watering, you do not want them to sit in waterlogged soil. Root rot can develop and kill off your plants. You will have blooms in summer and fall, which keeps them safe from butterfly larvae. You may have trouble with deer however.

If you want to add more of these lilies to your garden, you can generate them from existing rhizomes. You just have to divide the rhizomes into sections and soak the them with a fungicide powder and water solution. After about twelve hours of soaking they are ready to plant in organic soil. They will grow quickly in spring and summer.

You might also propagate them by planting the seeds. The blossoms have seeds you can remove and store in a warm place for three or four weeks. After that you will have to soak them to soften the coating. It may take six weeks or longer for them to germinate. You should not plant them outside until all danger of frost has passed.

A flower garden is a wonderful addition to any home. It takes some work to create just the right design with blooms that grow and thrive. Your lilies, if handled properly, will be the perfect fragrant, exotic background for the rest of your garden.




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