Back in June I had an early Hedychium bloom, but most Hedychiums bloom here during late summer and early autumn. Nearly all of these gingers have showy flowers and many are also intensely fragrant. Out of bloom they make attractive foliage plants with long tapered leaves alternating along arched stems. There aren't many with variegated leaves, I've got the only two I know of happily growing in the garden.
Hedychium 'Dr. Moy' has subtle variegation, a mixture of grayish-green, sometimes white, streaks and speckles on a medium green background. Without the variegation it would still be an excellent Hedychium because it has very sturdy stems which bear broad foliage and large heads of very fragrant, light orange flowers with darker orange throats. It is a hybrid of H. flavum × H. coccineum and was bred by and named after Dr. Moy, a botanist, now retired, at San Antonio Botanical Garden.
Close-up of Hedychium 'Dr. Moy' foliage
Hedychium 'Vanilla Ice' is a sport of 'Dr. Moy' with very dramatic variegation consisting of abundant white streaks. Its flowers and growth habits are the same as 'Dr. Moy', and although the loss of chlorophyll reduces its vigor, it's still a decent grower. It was selected and propagated by Messenbrink's Nursery of Nashville, North Carolina.
Close-up of Hedychium 'Vanilla Ice' foliage
Hedychium 'Vanilla Ice' foliage
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